HAMPSHIRE VS ESSEX

A near four-hour motorway crawl to Thurrock was hardly the preparation the Hampshire Colleges representative team needed before taking on national champions Essex in the English Schools’ FA County League.But manager Luke Hampton was more than delighted with the goal-less draw his travel weary troops eked out.

“The display was full of character and determination and hopefully bodes well for the season,” he beamed.
“ A great team/squad effort, with stand out performances from Peter Symonds’ goalkeeper Josh Tombs, Man Alli (Sparsholt) and George Ockwell, the Barton Peveril centre-back.”

After starting brightly for the first 15 minutes, Hampshire had to endure a huge amount of pressure in the first half and did well to get in to half-time still on level terms.“Josh Tombs made two cracking saves to keep the scoreline level,” Hampton said.
“We decided to change shape at half time to see if that made any difference to the pattern of the game and went 4-4-2, to get some support alongside Mani Alli (Sparsholt) in attack.

“It made a huge difference. We forced Essex back in the second half, stretched them in behind and created several great chances.
“Unfortunately we were unable to take any of the chances we created, but were happy to come away with a point over the 90 minutes.

Hampshire squad was: Josh Tombs (PSC), Jean-Luc Ramdin (Itchen), Wayne Nderemani (Sparsholt) , George Ockwell (Barton Peveril), George Farrelly (Sparsholt), Ryan Penny (Sparsholt), Cameron Langan (Alton), Harry Prisk (BP), Emanuel Alli (Sparsholt), Josh Mccormick (Portsmouth), Jordan Ragguette (Portsmouth). Substitutes: Harvey Clarke (P), Ethan Taylor (Itchen), Shaquille Gwengwe (P), Josh Davies (BP), Henry Jordan (P).

Hampshire host Surrey in the next ESFA County match under Alton Town’s Anstey Park floodlights on Friday November 10 (8pm).