Hampton Whites 0 - 2 Parkside

The Whites tasted a cold bowlful of cruel defeat against Parkside on Saturday as they went down two-zero against the now run-away league leaders.

Poised in second position before the match, a victory would have reduced the gap to two points. But instead that gap now stands at a heafty eight points and Hampton's chances of overtaking the league leaders, just like a chewed clod of bubblegum, half in the mouth but also half wrapped around a bored child's finger, have lengthened significantly.

It was a close match at a near to capacity Beaumont Way. The wind was in Parkside's favour when they snatched their two-goals in the closing minutes of the closely fought encounter, goals that sparked wild celebrations among one of their players. But it was a close game and the Whites were no discrace, narrowly deafeated when only minutes away from being the first side to take points from this strong Parkside team.

Hampton remain in second place but the rest of the field is closing in so a victory this weekend away to Paston is much anticipated.

Glen has the whiteboard .. and their attention.

Graham Cooke has been on Soccer AM.

SCRAMBLE!!

That..ball..is..staying..in...(whack)

A near-capacity crowd

Dami and Jamie, outnumbered but ready to pounce

Bradley shows no fear of controlling a quickly descending football

Cameron swings in a corner

The ball is cleared at pace

Cameron battles

William looks to make in-roads

Cameron in contention

www.thatwasreallyclose.com

Victory and pain

Jamie, William, Ben and Thomas walk away as Glen's son looks on 

but as they say..you can't keep a good man down..

Jamie wants to remove his face and change it for a smiling one

In 8 years time, Lucas will be legally allowed in night clubs. 

Oundle 2 - 3 Hampton Whites

The Whites cemented second place this morning with a win away to high-flyers Oundle, ahead of next weeks clash with league leaders, Parkside.

A foggy morning didn't stop the match getting off to a brisk start with two quick and early Oundle goals. Hampton regained their composure and William fired one back before an Oundle handball in the box allowed Bradley the chance to level the scores with confidence.  

Picture: Bradley scores from the penalty spot to draw level.

The two evenly matched sides resumed after half-time and man-of-match Jamie took a shot which evaded the keeper from distance to take the lead. Hampton faced pressure from Oundle who dominated the final 15 minutes and saw chance after chance go begging. Lucas made some excellent saves to keep Hampton ahead before the referee ended the match to the relief of the visiting contingent. 

Lucas takes evasive action in the warm-up

William, Bradley, Rees and Alex queue for the opportunity to strike

Cameron picks his spot

Bradley... aim ... fire

Lucas was unbeatable in the warm-up

Hierarchy is evident through chair occupation 

William enters the Oundle danger zone

Oh! Over the bar!

Rees shows bravery

Both feet on the ground. That's how the referee likes it.

Bradley puts Oundle under sever pressure

Bradley turns his man

Lucas tips the ball onto the bar

Jamie uses his head

and battles in midfield

Ben looks confident as he clears

Jamie takes one for the team

Another life...

Rees and Jamie give Dami options

The Oundle player knows he only has one second before Jamie will be with him

Dami demonstrates athleticism and control

Glen salutes another win. League Leaders next

Jumping in the warm-up

Lucas and Dylan enjoy the winning feeling

Sawtry 1 - 4 Hampton Whites

Hampton are now on a four-match unbeaten run in the league as they moved up the table - to a potential second - after comprehensively beating high-flyers Sawtry in Great Glatton on Saturday. Cameron returned from injury to the starting line up and to rekindle his forward line partnership with Dami and Bradley. It was not long before the them were rewarded with goals.

After a few minutes a Bradley strike from outside the box beat the keeper before Cameron was given a golden opportunity from close range to make it two. Sawtry regrouped and defended well, managing to stem the flow of goals before half-time.

When the match resumed, the Whites reapplied the pressure and substitute William made the most of an opportunity to drive his shot past the keeper. Minutes later, William was in the right place to volley home a Bradley cross and make it four. Sawtry scored a conciliatory goal late on but it was too little too late.

No action next week - the next match is away to Oundle on the 19th.

Manager Glen: 'Lets win again'

Lucas shows why he's in goal during the warm up

William sizes up the opposition

They discuss tactics

Jamie takes it all in

Flasks of  tea and mugs made their debut this season greeted with widespread approval

Mr Rob Wright listens during a pre-match discussion

Wet back warm up

Parents are reminded to behave

Hampton pile on the early pressure

Bradley eager for the ball

Bradley strikes early and beats the keeper. 1-0

The keeper did his best to stem the early tide

But couldn't stop a Cameron goal from close-range

Bradley's opponents confounded

Dylan given goal kicking responsibility watched by Rees

Second half resumed at 2-0. Hampton on the attack again

Cameron sees his shot go narrowly wide

Lucas kept this shot out of the net

But the striker doesn't know that yet..

Bradley slices the defence open again

Dylan swivels to meet a cross

It's three! William sends his shot past the keeper to extend the Whites lead.

Jamie holds off one defender as he plots his route past another

Goal kicks often prove to be dangerous moments

Sawtry defend as another ball comes in

Causes a problem

And is narrowly cleared off the line

Bradley's shots concerned the keeper all match

William and Ben watch as a Bradley cross comes in

And William makes it four-nil with a volley

Sawtry help Bradley back to his position

Glen acknowledges another league win