Jon Harland
Hampton & Richmond secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Chelmsford City, with the Beavers scoring three goals in a rampant 20 minute spell during the first half.
Alfie Williams, Mauro Vilhete, and Jake Gray struck for the home side, while goals from Osmon Foyo and Jordan Greenidge couldn’t save the Clarets from defeat.
The Beavers extended their unbeaten run at the Beveree Stadium to four matches and have lost just once in their last 10 in all competitions.
They move up one place to 13th in the National League South, six points off the play off spots, while Chelmsford remain 15th.
The visitors had the first chance after 10 minutes when Jake Hyde found Kane Crichlow, whose shot was blocked bravely by Jack Taylor.
But it was the home side who scored the first goal three minutes later thanks to Williams stroking in Gray’s cutback from the byline.
We only had to wait five minutes for a second after Vilhete drifted in from the left and let rip into the top right corner. James Roberts and Gray combined superbly in the buildup.
The Clarets created a couple of promising chances in a pulsating opening to the game, but Hampton & Richmond defended well.
Mike Atkinson dispossessed an opposition player and offloaded to Vilhete, whose inch-perfect through ball sent Gray through to score his team’s third in less than half an hour.
Something needed to change for Robbie Simpson’s side, who hooked Sam Oguntayo for Freddie Hockey after 35 minutes.
Ipswich Town loanee Foyo got Chelmsford back into the game before the break, bursting into the box and beating Ted Curd with a clinical finish.
The Clarets scored again 15 seconds after the restart thanks to Greenidge poking home following a long ball that caused chaos in the Hampton box.
It was like a basketball game at times, with each side taking turns to have a go at goal in an intriguing second half.
Vilhete had an excellent game in attack, but played his part at the opposite end, clearing a header off the line from a Chelmsford set piece.
Woody Williamson pulled off a spectacular save in the 70th minute to deny Alex Wall’s free kick that looked destined for the bottom right corner.
It was a nailbiting final 10 for those of a Beavers persuasion, as Chelmsford peppered the box and failed to capitalise on sloppy mistakes.
The keeper came up for a corner and the Clarets blazed a shot over the bar in the 97th minute, though only four minutes of added time were indicated.
Hampton manager Alan Julian praised his side’s resilience and acknowledged the entertaining spectacle.
He said: “Whoever paid for a ticket got their money's worth today!
“It’s nervy at the end, but we play a style of football that’s going to be like that at times.
“We scored three really good goals, and it’s disappointing to concede two given how good we’ve been defensively all season.
“But Chelmsford are a good side and responded excellently, so the second half was tough for us.”
Julian lauded the character his side showed to see the game out: “[Chelmsford] were swinging balls into the box to their big lads, but I thought for the very young group we’ve got, they showed maturity beyond their years.”
The manager clarified that Gray’s halftime substitution was due to a minor knock. He said: “It wasn’t tactical, I think I’d need shooting if I took him off the way he was playing!
“He got a slight pull and we didn’t want to push it any further.”
Hampton & Richmond are back in action on Saturday, hosting 10th placed Slough Town at the Beveree for their fourth consecutive home game. Kickoff is at 3 pm. Match tickets, and half-season tickets can be purchased HERE.