Harrodian's boys' football First XI were very much the underdogs in a second round London and Southern Independent Schools Cup tie with mighty Hampton but they upset the odds with a gritty 2-1 away victory.
Hampton, long established as one of the country's top football schools and current semi-finalists in the ISFA Cup, came into the game, fresh from a 4-0 victory over Marlborough in the First Round of this competition. But it was Harrodian that struck first: Aidan opened the scoring with a clinical finish after a brilliant solo run down the left. Soon after, powerful winger Clem, outpaced the Hampton defence with a similar burst of pace down the other flank, and doubled the lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Harrodian conceded a penalty following a sloppy foul in the box. To the relief of the sizeable group of away supporters, Hampton’s effort was blazed over the bar. But with seconds left in the half, the home team hit back with a goal, leaving the half-time score at 2-1.
It was clear the team would need all the grit and determination they could muster to hold on for the win. Remarkably, Harrodian's second half performance proved they were equal to the challenge
In his team talk First XI coach, Mr Arash Soleimani emphasised the team would need all the grit and determination they could muster if they were hold on for the win. And remarkably, Harrodian's second half performance proved they were equal to the challenge. The team defended constant pressure valiantly and despite an injury that forced George onto the sidelines, Harrodian defied the odds to mark their first ever victory over Hampton.
The win earns the team another daunting match with either Dulwich or St Paul's in the third round but for the moment Mr Soleimani and his team are relishing the moment. 'This victory is a real testament to the spirit and the willingness to put bodies on the line that runs through this squad,' says Mr Soleimani. 'It's a truly remarkable result and a significant moment in the team’s history.'
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It's a sentiment echoed by Headmaster, Mr James Hooke, himself an Old Hamptonian and a veteran of the school's 1980s team. 'Hampton has a proud footballing tradition as top performers in national competitions that goes back long beyond my own schooldays so you can't underestimate our First XI's achievement,' he says, adding with a twinkle. 'As the pundits might have said back in my day, I'm over the moon for them.'