Hampton Reds U15 2 vs 3 Kidderminster Harriers You

Today we welcomed Kidderminster Harriers to Hampton looking to build on last weeks win while also avenging the result from the reverse fixture at the beginning of the season.

Both sides missing key players due to holidays, blustery conditions meant this game could go either way.

It was Hampton who struck first when Rushy picked up a loose ball and drove down the wing into the box, finishing well at the near post, 1-0. Hampton were good value for the lead and were looking to increase that with several chances coming our way but we couldn’t punish Kiddy and eventually that stung us, where a rare attack got their striker in behind only for the ref to award a penalty when he adjudged Harrison to have made contact. In my opinion, the player ran out of steam as he got close to goal, he was going down anyway and the ball was going out, but their appeals got the reward from the ref. The penalty was scored despite Harrison going the right way, 1-1. This was a lifeline for Kiddy who didn’t look as strong as the first game of the season, but I couldn’t fault their desire. Hampton would retake the lead when a corner created a scramble and as several opportunities to score passed, Zach Ferrera was on hand to lash home what I believe to be his first goal for the club. 2-1. This was the point we needed to be sensible and not offer them any further opportunities in the half, but unfortunately a loose ball was picked up by their winger and he drove at us unchallenged, slotting the ball past Harrison, 2-2. On the stroke of half time, Rushy followed in and cracked an effort against the post, very unlucky.

HT 2-2.

Against the wind in the second half, we knew it would be difficult and Kiddy knew they had got away with it in the first half. Unfortunately Hampton didn’t approach the second half with the intensity and desire as the first half, whether this is down to fitness I’m not sure, but it felt like we just couldn’t get going. Kiddy were growing into the game and causing us some problems with a string of corners but the game appeared to be heading for a draw… until a ball was put in the box and was flicked over the top of Harrison and the Kiddy player got on the end of it to score, 2-3.

At this point, Hampton got really sloppy and the wind got the better of us. We gave the ball away far too cheaply and didn’t match the intensity shown by the Kiddy players. We couldn’t create any clear chances and the game was slowed by a series of corners that we gave them having not cleared the ball properly.

FT 2-3.

Another game where we walk away wondering “what if?” and find ourselves on the end of another fine margin defeat, particularly frustrating as in the first half there seemed to be only one team in it yet we didn’t come in ahead.

These fine margins, every other team seems to fight for throw ins, corners, free kicks, etc etc and we really need to start doing that ourselves.

We do have some courageous players who leave it all on the pitch every week, Salmeen being one of those players, amongst a few others. We really need EVERY player doing this EVERY week, otherwise these fine margins are going to end in one hell of a frustrating season.

We still have 11 league games with the opportunity to turn things around, but it won’t just happen on its own, we have to scrap for every single point.

MOTM today went to Dawson, another who leaves it all on the pitch every week and unlucky to find himself on the losing side again.

Bartley Away next week on the 3G… they’ll be looking for revenge and we need to be ready for the fight!!!

UTR

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