Sutton Coldfield Town Juni 7 vs 0 Hampton Reds U14

Today we travelled across to Sutton to face a team we beat 4-0 earlier in the season on their new 3G pitch.

The game got off to a nightmare start for the Reds, 1-0 down from the first attack of the game with the Sutton player not challenged with any conviction, something that would be an issue for the entire game.

This did however wake the Reds up and we managed to carve out a couple of good chances, with the keeper saving Rushys shot and then pulling off a super save to deny Harry, which looked to be flying into the top corner. This lifted Sutton and had a bit of a negative effect on goal-shy Hampton.

Sutton would go 2-0 up when the winger, who caused us problems all game, managed to cross the ball and the striker powered past Harrison.

Half time 2-0.

The problems we were having were all too familiar, being out-scrapped by a side who clearly wanted it more. Our boys just looked cold and uninterested, whereas Sutton didn’t seem to feel the cold and had clearly realised they are in a relegation fight and have decided to try and fight their way out of it, something that Hampton now find ourselves in.

It was more of the same in the second half, with a buoyant Sutton putting Hampton to the sword with 5 second half goals. Once again I watched a team face us where they were scrapping for every single ball, not just attacks. They could’ve downed tools at 7-0 because the game was over, but they were still sliding in without mercy and showing Hampton exactly what it takes to compete in this division.

We did have a couple of chances late on, with a nice ball from Harry putting Fin through, only for his shot to go wide of the post, then Charlie found himself with the goal at his mercy, only to scoop it over the bar.

7-0 was the final score, and Hampton have now lost 5 on the spin without scoring a goal, which is a very concerning pattern.

We haven’t tasted victory since October, which was also the last time we scored a goal.

I will always say it, results don’t really concern me, it’s the manner of the result that I’m interested in, and the way we have lost some of these games has been very disappointing.

Man of the match today went to Kielan, who battled and fought as hard as he could and didn’t deserve to be on the end of such a heavy defeat, likewise Harrison and a couple of others.

Hopefully Fynley will come in and help us in the last 6 games, along with another defender, as we need to try and stop the opposition from scoring and start scoring again ourselves!