Wake Green Amateur U14 1 vs 1 Hampton Reds U14

Today we visited high-flying Wake Green, facing a very tough task considering their record so far this season (W9 D1 L1) not to mention our first meeting of the season (L 0-5).

The game started lively, with Wake Green understandably pressing the ball high up the pitch, but the back-line staying strong and showing we’re made of sterner stuff since our previous meeting, albeit our run of results don’t reflect that.

Hampton, low on confidence, were looking a match for Wake Green and Omar looked to break through only for the midfielder to come across and wipe him out just outside the box. A free kick, but not even a word from the referee which I found surprising, considering Omar was about to be through on goal. Nothing came from the free kick which was a shame.

Hampton then had the best chance of the half, some great work from Fin on the right and the ball fizzed into the box but Omar couldn’t quite get hold of the shot and it went just wide, very unlucky.

Wake Green would have a chance of their own, when the striker managed to break through and get a shot off which Harrison tipped around the post.

The first half was a real battle between two teams up for it on a nice sunny morning, but nothing between them.

HT 0-0.

The second half started brightly for Wake Green who applied some good pressure, showing why they are promotion contenders with a string of half-chances, but unable to convert. The best of them was a stinging shot from the midfielder, which looked to be flying into the roof of the net only for Harrison to pull off another great save!

Hampton, still holding strong, were then unfortunate to concede a penalty. Personally I thought it was soft, the referee bought it, but nothing we could do to reverse the decision.

Wake Green striker confidently converted the penalty and this was a bitter blow to Hampton and I was worried this might shatter the confidence we had gained during this match.

From that moment, it was Hampton applying all the pressure. A string of corners, free kicks, Fin broke free but couldn’t beat the keeper, a couple of other chances but couldn’t get that goal.

Then came a chance, Rayyan sent through and brought down on the edge of the box, with nothing left on the clock, it was now or never.

Harrison comes up, everyone else comes up, every player on the pitch is in the box!

Ferrara pops the ball in, Sal flicks it on… KIELAN… GOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!!!! Flicked past the stranded keeper and the lads enjoy a well-deserved moment from a tough few months! Brilliant stuff.

The referee blows his whistle, game over, 1-1.

An absolutely terrific result for the lads, thoroughly deserved, and certainly something to build on!!

Some absolutely monster performances today, Harrison, Rayyan, Salmeen, Ollie, Rushy, Omar, Charlie… honestly I could name all 15 lads!!!

MOTM could only go to one player though, decided by the winning goal, WELL DONE KIELAN!

Days like today make me proud to be involved with the boys football. It’s not the results, it’s the never-say-die attitude, the day of the underdog, and that moment when the whole team realises that they are just that, A TEAM! It’s been a while since they had a proper celebration, and I really hope this brings some belief back to the boys because today’s performance shows that they absolutely belong at this level.

Very proud of today’s showing, same again next week please lads!!

UTR

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