Hampton Reds U14 0 vs 2 Redditch Borough Juniors U

Today we welcomed old foes Redditch to Hampton, looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat in the first fixture and de-rail their promotion hopes.

Unfortunately the Reds were missing Omar & Sanders through illness as well as Charlie through holiday and Bailee serving the last of his 3-game suspension. Unfortunately we would also lose Ferrari to a head injury after 15 minutes meaning we would play most of the game with a bare 11 (shame because Ferrari had started the game well!).

The first half was a scrappy affair, Hampton doing very well to nullify Redditch and in fairness probably looked the more likely to score, with Fin back to his best and our aerial threat from set pieces. All-in-all though, a very even half and a complete stalemate, HT 0-0.

The second half saw Redditch become more aggressive in the attack (going with the wind now) and they were trying their luck from range, nothing to trouble Harrison though.

Hampton were still battling well and Redditch were becoming frustrated, with their main man in midfield starting to become more and more vocal in his frustration.

Unfortunately, he would have a massive slice of luck when he hit a low shot from range that would usually be a routine stop for Harrison but I assume it got caught in the wind, squirmed between Harrison’s hands and knees then went in off the far post. That one was difficult to swallow I promise you, as he is my least favourite opposition player of the last few years and he didn’t avoid rubbing everyone’s faces in it either.

We switched it up then, no point defending a 0-1 score line, and boy were we unlucky. Redditch thought we’d fall apart now, cries from their keeper of “let’s rip them a new a***hole now lads” showed their arrogance and Rayyan almost made them pay. First he weaved inside and hit a vicious shot that was parried by the keeper and then he went on a cracking run, fighting his way to the byline and pushing the ball across the 6-yard line, with the goal at Callan’s mercy somehow it was kept out, with a goal-mouth scramble Redditch managed to clear.

How we didn’t score is beyond me, but it certainly highlighted which side Lady Luck was shining on today because the team who deserved more found themselves 0-2 down when our all-out-attack strategy caught us a little short at the back and when the first effort wasn’t cleared properly, it fell kindly to that man again ?? who didn’t hit it clean but it found its way into the corner, 0-2.

I did feel for the boys here, they’d played their hearts out with dignity and pride, yet the arrogant bunch came out on top, a difficult pill to swallow.

The boys didn’t stop trying though and forced yet another corner which Harrison came up for, but we couldn’t get a clean connection and the keeper caught it.

Full Time 0-2.

On another day we deservedly walk away with something there, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. We saw afterwards the dirty tactics the CM was using, when he had stamped on Rayyan. Unfortunately there’s not enough there for me to report, but this is the kind of game I look at and I’m thankful that our lads have more class than that. I can’t tarnish them all with the same brush, as some of them showed good respect during and after the game, but I look forward to the day when we end the Redditch hoodoo and finally beat them!!!

Some excellent performances today with Harrison and the backline battling hard and the other lads all working their socks off - none more so than Rayyan who once again showed his captain qualities and was very unlucky not to score or assist - but today’s MOTM went to a player who had threatened to get it in every game he’s played so far and finally hit that reward today, well done Salmeen!

Last game of the season up next at home to Sutton United and I’d love to finish the season on another positive note.

UTR

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