Hampton’s U15 footballers impress in ESFA Cup

By Ollie Scrimshaw

On Tuesday 29th September, Hampton’s U15A team faced a strong Rutlish School side at home in the second round of the ESFA Cup.

The Hampton team was looking to bounce back from a narrow 2-1 defeat to Bede’s School the previous Saturday in their first Elgin League game of the season.

Rutlish started the game strongly, with through-balls from their full-backs flying over the top of the tall Hampton defence.

Centre-backs Tom Young and Noah Parry were kept busy throughout the opening ten minutes, as Hampton struggled to maintain possession and control in midfield.

Rutlish’s best opportunity came from a sweeping ball over the top of Hampton’s back line, which was slammed against the inside of the post by the opposition striker, serving as a wake-up call for a Hampton side that had been dominated so far.

After that close call, Hampton managed to end the first half with two strong chances, both coming from Jasper Townley’s pinpoint crosses into the box, which were unfortunately not converted.

After a motivational and much-needed half-time talk from coaches Mr Boyes and Mr Hurst, the Hampton side started to create more chances.

Rutlish struggled to get past Hampton’s left-back Josh Don Carolis, as the momentum switched in Hampton’s favour and the deadlock was finally broken when centre-midfielder Rafi Berry pounced on a loose ball, slotting it into the open goal and putting the Hampton U15s 1-0 up.

The Hampton attack worked relentlessly to chase down the opposition defence, and soon after the first goal, Hampton winger Jasper Townley converted one of his many runs down the left wing into a superb strike, giving the team a second goal.

Soon after, the game was sealed by a wondergoal, when a rebound landed at the feet of Neil Menon and flew perfectly into the top corner.

The home side dominated the second half as Rutlish were unable to challenge the back line or find a way through to goal.

Hampton’s relentless midfielder, Neil Menon, described the victory after the game as “well deserved” from a “spirited Hampton team”.

After progressing to the third round of ESFA, Hampton will focus on the ISFA Cup competition and other games in their packed schedule over the next couple of months, with the Villarreal Tour to look forward to in the October half-term.