Today we welcomed Kings Heath Concorde to Hampton for the second time this season, having comfortably beaten them in the league cup earlier in the season, but as we know all too well, there’s no guarantees in this division.
With our #1 away, Harry stepped up for the team and put himself in the sticks, and regardless of who we’re playing this kind of gesture is not lost on me, big thanks to Harry!
Hampton flew out of the blocks, dominating the early play and creating chance after chance, without sticking the ball in the net. I can think of the ball being delivered half a dozen times, with nobody able to capitalise… probably the closest was Kielan with a good header but the keeper saved smartly. Good signs though, with chances created, goals would surely follow.
Constant pressure from the Reds and with Kings Heath struggling to get out of their half, the breakthrough finally came on 16 minutes and the game was pretty much wrapped up within the space of 4 minutes. First, Rushy was played in by Rayyan and he finished as we’ve come to expect these days, calmly into the far corner. Then 2 minutes later, a similar finish having won the ball himself from a goal kick, slotted into the far corner again, only with his left foot this time and it was 3-0 on the 20th minute when Omar drove home under the keeper after beating Fin to Jacks ball over the top.
Chances kept coming, but we either didn’t hit the target or the impressive Kings Heath keeper kept us out.
Half time, 3-0.
Games like these are a great opportunity to try new things, give lads the freedom to play in different positions and try and get themselves on the scoresheet, which is exactly what Callan did next… Fin was played down the line by Jack, and got the ball in the box which eventually fell to Callan after a scramble and he looped a shot over the keeper and into the net. A great moment for Callan after joining us in the summer, hopefully the first of many to come from him! It really was an onslaught from the boys, to the point where Kings Heath were trapped in their own box on every goal kick. They didn’t have a kicker to get the ball out, and Hampton were waiting to pounce. Unfortunately, their keeper was in inspired form, and Kings Heath would not just roll over. Several chances passed by, with Jack (who looked different class today) driving a few mazy runs but pushing the shots just wide of the post. That couldn’t keep happening though, and sure enough he did get his well-deserved goal, driving into the box and finishing well into the far corner. Just after, he almost got his second, crashing one from outside the box but the keeper once again saved, this time tipping onto the bar, his best save of the day. More chances came, with Fin, Rushy, Omar, Oscar all going close, but no cigar. Our final goal of the game came in the 58th minute, when some good work on the left by Oscar found Josh P who layed to Rayyan, who drove low into the net. A very well-worked goal. 6-0. A moment of madness from Kings Heath gave us a penalty for hand ball, where Josh P fancied getting himself on the scoresheet.. but unfortunately the post was his enemy on this occasion and then the keeper also kept out the rebound, unlucky Josh it will come next time!!
I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said the kings heath keeper made 20+ saves today, he really did well to keep us out as much as possible, and hats off to the Kings Heath lads, who are on the back of some tough defeats and struggling with no subs today, but they fought to the death and I’d be proud of that effort myself.
If the Kings Heath keeper was busy, our stand-in keeper Harry was not, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet, so he can be proud that he was a team player today and contributed with his great attitude and commitment.
Some excellent performances today, with Jack really standing-out, Bailee and Charlie terrific on that left side, Sanders and Fin on the right, as well as the usual danger-men Omar & Rushy… but todays MOTM went to Rayyan who was dynamite throughout. Deservedly got himself his first goal for Hampton and also an assist, alongside a fine battling display… well done Rayyan!
Well done boys, a week off next week and hopefully we keep this level up moving forward!
UTR ??
