Today the Reds welcomed Kings Heath Concorde, from our division, in the league shield second round, searching for our first win since we last played in this cup against Sheldon Royals back in September. We’ve had a particularly tough run of fixtures to start this season, facing teams who I think are all promotion contenders, along with last weeks premier league opposition! Missing the imposing JP today along with talisman Rushy and left-footed maestro Charlie, the lads could be forgiven for licking their wounds a little but the return of our captain was a timely boost, along with Kielan who returns from a foot injury last week and Fin who returns from illness, so spirits were high during the (very) wet warmup!
Early signs were good for Hampton, with Omar dominating down that left hand side and you could be forgiven for thinking Rushy was playing, as Omar bolted toward goal a couple of times but couldn’t trouble the keeper. It was all Hampton on the attack, but the shoot-on-sight policy wasn’t quite working because most of the strikes were from at least 25 yards and we clearly needed to do more to beat this keeper who’s handling was pretty good. 17 minutes in, the breakthrough finally arrived, when a good throw from Bailee down the left unleashed Omar, who confidently drove towards goal and smashed it under the keeper. 1-0. Chances kept coming but we were still snatching at opportunities, until Rayyan showed great awareness to play a reverse pass to Omar who was 1v1 and made no mistake, confidently finishing. 2-0. Right on the stroke of half time, it would be a first half hatrick as some nice work from Oscar on the right and a well-weighted pass put Omar through again and this time he smashed home high into the net and the reds came in 3-0 up.
The half-time sweets had been demolished before the game so the Reds would have to rely on their own reserves for the second half, and they showed they had plenty in the tank.
Kings Heath managed to fend off the Reds for around 15 minutes again in the second half until Omar bagged his fourth of the game (Rushy look away now ??) when Jack played a quick free kick and Omar was on hand to smash home again. 4-0. Omar then decided he would turn provider when playing Jack through, who calmly placed a firm strike into the far corner. 5-0. Jack then took matters into his own hands by letting rip from 30 yards and with the keeper stranded it flew into the net. 6-0. It was a great day for Omar and Jack on the scoring front, and a couple of players will soon feel it again as they’re getting closer each week, with both Fin and Harry going close on a few occasions and I’m sure once they get that first one, the floodgates will open!
Some simply outstanding performances today across the squad, with special mentions going to the impressive Joshua Marchment who slotted in at centre back, Oscar who worked his socks off and has found some body strength and tackling desire that adds a new dimension to his game, and Jack & Rayyan who dominated the midfield area. However, Man of the match had to go to the player who scored 4 and got an assist on top of everything else he contributed to the game… well done Omar!
UTR
??
