Jnr 1st XI vs Amersham and Wycombe

The Hartpury Junior Academy are now only two games away from retaining the ESFA U18 Colleges Cup after an excellent 4-1 win over Amersham and Wycombe college in Monday’s quarter final.

The team showed one change from the side that beat Yeovil College in round five, with Thomas Boakye switching to centre back in place of the suspended Callum Preece and Brett James coming in at right back.

From the kick off Hartpury quickly got into their stride, with Thomas Boakye trying his luck from distance as early as the first minute. Adam Mann then broke clear down the left hand side before whipping over an inviting cross which was met well by Bismark Kwarteng but he could not beat the keeper. Another flowing move on eight minutes orchestrated by the front two of Kwarteng and Wood created a great scoring chance for Jake Gosling, but again his effort was saved by the visiting keeper. From the resulting corner Boakye rose highest but saw his powerful header fly just wide of the top corner. 

On fifteen minutes Amersham and Wycombe put together their first meaningful attack but the shot did not trouble Eddie Dale in the Hartpury goal. 

Hartpury continued to have the lions share of possession and their reward for their positive start finally arrived after twenty minutes. Captain Nick Hancock linked well with fellow midfield partner Ben Parry before switching the play over to Brett James at right back. James’ came onto the ball at speed before playing a perfectly weighted pass down the flank to the onrushing Dan Holloway. Holloway’s pace took him to the by line before cutting back an inviting ball which was converted at the far post by Jake Gosling.

Despite their early dominance, Hartpury were unable to hold onto the lead as Amersham & Wycombe equalised almost immediately. A long throw into the box caught keeper Eddie Dale out of position and his mistimed punch looped into the roof of the net. Hartpury did not let the goal affect them and continued to push forward. Jack Wood shot narrowly wide of the far post from 20 yards and this was quickly followed by another good effort on goal by Gosling which again missed by only a whisker. With only moments before the half time whistle, Brett James advanced forward down the right before linking well with both Wood and Kwarteng.  Kwarteng’s eye for a pass around the box got Dan Holloway in behind his fullback and as the defence retreated he was brought down. Jack Wood took on the responsibility and calmly stroked the ball home from the penalty spot to restore the lead.

After the half time break Hartpury came out determined to cement their place in the semi finals. Brett James saw a goal bound shot blocked before a surging run by Adam Mann almost resulted in another Hartpury goal. On fifty-five minutes some good play down the left by Gosling and Mann resulted in a Hartpury throw in by the corner of the 18 yard box. Jack Wood received the throw and showed good strength to roll away from his marker before sliding the ball inside to Hancock. Hancock in turn played first time through to Gosling on the left side and his intelligent cross was flicked home by Kwarteng. Ten minutes later the lead was extended to 4-1. Again it was the combination of Gosling and Mann down the left hand side who were at the centre of things, with Gosling creating space for Mann to advance on the overlap and his whipped in cross was deflected into his own net by an Amersham and Wycombe defender.

In the closing stages Hartpury created a number of further opportunities to score, with Gosling firing a shot just over the bar and then captain Nick Hancock forcing a good save from the keeper with a rasping left footed drive.

Hartpury now move into the semi finals next Wednesday where they face a tricky trip to Farnborough Sixth Form College.

Junior Academy Manager Tim Jenkins commented:

“This was an excellent performance against a strong and physical team. We moved the ball around at a good tempo and scored some really good goals. We have given ourselves a great chance of reaching another ESFA final but I am sure playing away at Farnborough next week is going to be very tough.”

Hartpury Junior Academy U18’s

Dale, James, Boakye, Humphrey, Mann (Gilbert), Hancock ©, Parry,  Holloway (Pearson),  Kwarteng (Langworthy), Wood, Gosling. Subs not used: Cook, Grafton.

Star Man: Nick Hancock