THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH (FA CUP)

Somewhere in the distance lies thatfabled chalice the FA Cup, but if that vision is to become solid then first Dulwich must overcome the Beavers

It has been somewhat of mixed season for Hampton and Richmond Borough so far this term with Beavers currently back in 10th spot after nine games, four points shy of the Hamlet in fifth. However with manager Alan Dowson soon to celebrate 12 months in the Beveree hot seat it is a far cry from the aura of doom and gloom when he arrived at the club. Then the Beavers were already being talked of a relegation fodder, rock bottom of the Isthmian Premier and unable to buy a win. However with Charlie Moone continuing the goal scoring form that saw him lift the Ryman League Golden Boot in 2014, Hampton managed to climb to position of mid table security, often upsetting the big boys though never quite pushing on to challenge for honours.

The summer brought a revamp in the ranks with the likes of Dulwich Hamlet’s Michael Kamara among the new faces at the club whilst funds from the fans as well as a double 10k run from the gaffer helped finance the arrival of Hemel Hempstead defender Moussa Diarra.

The season opened at Harrow Borough with Moone finding his touch early on to give Borough the advantage. However, Marc Charles-Smith levelled for the other Borough before the break as the game finished all square. The opening home game saw Dean Sinclair put the Beavers ahead late in the first half only for visitors Wingate and Finchley to score a rapid-fire double on the hour mark to snatch the points.

At the third time of asking, the Beavers proved victorious but they had to rally from a Sam Higgins goal for East Thurrock inside the first 90 seconds. Nicke Kabamba squared the contest on 26 minutes before Michael Kamara bagged his maiden goal for the club ten minutes before the halftime whistle. However a follow-on victory proved elusive as the Beavers were dismissed from the Alan Turvey Trophy after a 2-0 defeat at Staines before registering back-to-back 1-1 draws away to VCD Athletic and Lewes.

The late August Bank Holliday proved especially fruitful on the points front, if not the goals. On the Saturday Josh Casey’s goal on the stroke of halftime saw Hampton pick up all the points at home the Metropolitan Police. The travelling fans had to wait late to see their heroes triumph at Staines Town on the Monday. The game had been held up for nearly half-an-hour in the first half after Hampton’s skipper Kieran Murphy dislocated his shoulder but with the match seemingly meandering towards a 1-0 win for the Swans after Pat Cox had bundled in a 71st minute goal, matters were turned on their head in three minutes of madness in stoppage time. First Tom Jelley levelled after a left-wing breakaway. Then Moone snapped his month long scoring drought as he capitalised on a defensive error to volley home a dramatic last gasp winner.

Moone was back on target last Saturday as his second half goal rescued a point after the Beavers had found themselves trailing to last season’s Ryman South champions Burgess Hill but, along with the rest of his teammates, the prolific striker found himself firing blanks in midweek as winless Lewes rocked the Beveree. The early dismissal of Joe Hicks did little to help the Hampton cause but, after the ageless Jay Lovett had given the visiting Rooks the halftime advantage, the second half collapse of the Beavers was gut-wrenching for the faithful. Lovett added a second, Leon Redwood made it 3-0 and the rout was complete when Troy Williams bagged number four six minutes before time.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at the Beveree Stadium, Beaver Close, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2XB

ADMISSION PRICES
Adults £10.00
Concessions £6.00 (Pensioners & Students)
Children under 16 £2.00