Parkside 3 - 5 Hampton Whites

This game was the biggest in the short history of the Hampton Whites as they once again faced up with the unbeaten and formidable league-leaders Parkside. It was a close match last time around in which the Whites unluckily lost, but would this time be different? Had the Whites developed as a footballing unit? Could they beat the impressive Parkside defence and keeper? Could the Whites defence withstand the onslaught to come?

The answers? Yes on all counts...

Bushfield Sports Centre was the setting for this away match and the wind and rain only added to the tense atmosphere. Hampton just had the best of the early exchanges as both sides tried to make an early impact. Then William broke free and found himself one-on-one with the keeper and made no mistake with the finish for one-nil. Minutes later William once again slipped the bonds of the Parkside defence and directed his low left-footed shot beyond the parkside keeper to give the Whites a quite unexpected early two-goal lead. 

Hampton pressured and defended stoutly until half-time and after the break, the Whites looked to extend their lead further while still not quite believing their winning position. Cameron, with a reputation for distance striking ability, had his shot from outside the area deflected by Dinis into the goal for his first ever and Hampton's third goal of the match.

As they saying goes; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Soon after, Parkside mounted their counter-offensive, pulling two quick goals back and placing Hampton squarely on the back foot with 10 minutes left to play. The atmosphere among the team changed and from it, the resolve not to concede this victory emerged. 

Hampton applied the pressure once again and a succession of corners followed. A low curling corner from Jamie picked out Dami who found enough room to make it 4-2 from close range. Soon after, a high-ball caught the keeper out under pressure from William who won the ball back in the area and slotted home for his hat-trick and Hampton's fifth. A late Parkside headed goal ended the match and the Whites celebrations began.

Now the gap between the Whites and Parkside is reduced to seven points with Hampton holding a game in hand. It's third placed Paston Flyers next at Beamont Way.   

Warming up before the big match

Stretching. One of those things that must be done .. but we don't wanna do.

Ben and Jamie

Dami and Ben enjoy the warm-up

'Excuse me? Do you know how good I am in goal?'

At 10.30am across the lands ..  boys line up and then shake hands

Captain Tom and Keeper Lucas know they need to at their best

Here we go....

Bradley focused from the beginning

Already 1-0 and William breaks free from his defenders

And shoots for 2-0

Lucas makes it safe..

Reece chases the ball while noting the position of the keeper

and shoots accordingly..

Reece once again making the running ..

Jamie and Dami put keeps under pressure again.. 

William, Ben, Cameron, Alex and Bradley watch with Coach Glenn

Check out the angle of Dami's foot as he turns away from his marker..

Dinis is fast and nimble on his second appearance

Half-time and Coach Glen pumps them up for the second-half battle

Corner comes in and Parkside's defenders keep control

Alex making the opposition player rush...

Dami jumps to intercept the throw-in

Ben in action at a corner

William, Ben and Dami close down a Parkside attack

Bradley ready to clear it to heaven as skipper Thomas jumps for a better view

Jo stretches to protect his mother from a flying ball

We got it covered .. plenty of Hampton presence in their own box

Parkside fight it out among themselves for the right to head this one

And this one..

Lucas marshals his defenders, Dylan and Thomas, who played brilliantly throughout

Dylan clears his lines

Good job we did that stretching ... Reece competing for the ball

Parkside's striker pulls one back from outside the area

Dami gets on the end of the corner to make it 4-2

William pressures the keeper into an error ..

And celebrates as the ball crosses the line as Parkside players try in desperation to stop it

Hampton enjoy the post-goal feeling

Glen celebrates with the boys at the final-whistle

Jamie rolls around in delight as proud parents look on and greet their heroes

William waves his shirt above his head as supporters applaud

Parkside players all smiles and applause for the support..  They're still top of the tree with an incredible season so far.