On a overcast Friday afternoon, Richard Challoner School took on Hampton School in round 4 of the  u18National Cup.  Both sides were looking strong in the warm up however, both sides knew that meant nothing if they couldn’t convert it into the game itself. Challoner in particular had an incredibly strong amount of supporters made up of teachers and sixth formers.

In the first half,  Challoner looked to be more dominant going forward. However, that is not to say that at occasions, Hampton looked threatening going forward.  It is definitely fair to say that Challoner controlled the midfield area but at times, Challoner did look a bit insecure at the back. Even when mistakes were made wherever on the pitch, there would always be one or two defending well and denying Hampton to get the ball threatening the goal. At Half time,  it was 0-0 and at that point it could have gone either way.  Both sides once again started the second half strong but it was Challoner who would take the lead thanks to a goal from year 12 Finn Haughey in the 70th minute. Challoner built well up from the back in a nice combination of passes all the way out wide to Haughey on the right wing who took a left footed shot to curl over the keeper’s head into the top left corner.  It is fair to say that the Challoner supporters’ reaction was definitely not quiet.  Challoner maintained the same level of energy and intensity from that point onwards. Hampton had a disallowed goal in the 80th minute due to an offside decision. It would have been a great goal, after a strong cross and headed to the far corner past the Challoner keeper, had it been allowed. Hampton  admirably did not give up till the end and it looked at many points that Hampton may grab an equaliser.  When the final whistle was blown, Challoner players whilst showing great levels of sportsmanship, went over to celebrate with the fans.

After the game, I interviewed Challoner captain, Josh Keeya and asked him for his opinions on the game. Keeya responded with “class performance from the lads and onto the next round and all the way to win it”. Tough decision for man of the match since the whole team played well but there were two standouts performers from Josh Keeya and Finn Haughey but man of the match probably has to go to Finn Haughey. Challoner move on to round 5 next where the same levels of support from the Challoner community will be maintained.