Hampton 2nd XI Begin ESFA Campaign With Big Win Against Glyn
By Alex Watson
Yesterday, the Hampton 2nd XI travelled to Glyn School to begin their ESFA Cup defence. After getting a bye through the first round, everyone knew this wouldn’t be an easy first fixture, especially the Lower Sixth part of the team, who were all playing two years ago when Glyn had knocked the Hampton U15As out of the same competition.
The game started slowly, with few chances created in the opening 20 minutes. It was Glyn who had so far come closest, as a half volley from just outside the box was fired inches wide of the right hand post, whilst it took an incredible last-ditch tackle from Hampton skipper Ben Wallace to prevent them from breaking through on goal. Hampton had looked dangerous, too, on occasion, but were not quite yet finding that perfect final pass.
As half time neared, the visitors began to gain some control over the game, keeping the ball on the deck and using their quality, rather than playing right into Glyn’s hands with long ball after long ball. Cutting in from the wing, Connor Hendricks had a firm strike saved down low by the opposition keeper, before striker Alex Watson came close on two occasions – his long-range attempt fizzed just over the crossbar, whilst a glancing header bounced back off the woodwork. Mr Leafe’s men thought they finally had their goal when centre back Felix Robinson nodded home Josh Gaughan’s pinpoint freekick, only for the referee to rule it out for a push in the back.
The score may have been 0-0 at half time, but the momentum was now firmly with Hampton, and it wasn’t long before they made it count. A misjudgement from a Glyn centre-back saw the ball fall to the feet of Watson in the box, and this time he made no mistake, cooly slotting home into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.
And they had their second not long after; midfielder Dominic Stenning, who had seen a shot cannon off the crossbar minutes before, was first to meet Freddie Tranter’s looping cross, bundling the ball home to put Hampton into a 2-0 lead. Tranter was at it again just minutes later, threading a through ball into the path of Hendricks who finished powerfully into the roof of the net.
Now three goals to the good, the Second XI pushed on, eager for more and, just as importantly, a clean sheet. The back four, who were brilliant all game, stood firm, and the attack’s newfound confidence was evident in the final minutes as they strung together several blistering team moves. It was a piece of individual brilliance which sealed the win, however, as substitute Sami Ghusayni let Gabriel Connolly’s pass run across his body before breaking through the Glyn backline and firing an unstoppable shot into the bottom right corner.
4-0 the final score, then, and it was a thoroughly deserved win for Hampton, with every one of the 15-man squad working tirelessly to secure a hard-fought victory and make the perfect start to their ESFA campaign.
The Second XI look ahead now to matches against Eton College and Forest School, as well as an ESFA Third Round draw, and if recent performances are anything to go by, they should be very excited for what’s to come this season.
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