Hampton & Richmond Borough fell short vs Maidstone United on the August Bank Holiday, experiencing a 1-4 loss at Beveree Stadium.
The final day of August had it's mood set following an impressive display on the 22nd, which saw the Beavers land a 5-3 win to gain their first points of the 26/27 league season, as well as a defensive masterclass in a 1-1 draw vs Torquay at Plainmoor,
Alongside this, Maidstone had strung a run of 4 games unbeaten after a disappointing opening game losing to Farnborough 1-2 at Gallagher Stadium, winning in their previous 2 games vs Salisbury and Dorking respectively.
As has usually been the case, the Beavers started the game in strong fashion, looking threatening in attack, as did the away side. Despite this, Maidstone were able to open the scoring, courtesy of Tom Leahy, who's teammates had pounced on a defensive error, and allowed the number 11 to slot it in to open the game's account.
Both sides continued to create chances for themselves throught the rest of the first half, such as Siziba's opportunity, dancing through the Maidstone defenders and striking the ball, which unfortunately smacked the inside of the post and trickled along the wrong side of the goaline, ending the play with a foul in attack, with neither quite being able to add more goals to the game.
The second half started with an electrifying opening 5 minutes from the Beavers, which saw the home side create a decent number of opportunities to find the equalizer, however, against the run of play, Maidstone find themselves on the counter and Gravata was able to slot it in to make it 2 for the away side.
A triple substitution of attacking support soon followed, which saw Sak Hassan, Tobi-Sho Silva, and Max Mullins all come onto the pitch, and the run of play seemed to be progressing in the Beaver's favour, with their numerous attacking plays eventually succeeding, as Hassan was able to carry the ball to the edge of the box, play the ball into Sho-Silva who controlled and struck the ball, which was saved by the keeper, but could not stray away from the path of Siziba, who calmy placed into the back of the net to bring some fire back into the fixture.
However, in a matter of just 4 minutes later, a Maidstone attack leads to a ball being played in by Riley Court, which meets the head of Leahy to make it his second of the game and the away side's third.
For the remainder of the game, Maidstone were happy to sit back and allow the Beavers keep possession, opting for the safer option in an attempt to not jeopardise their lead by any rash decision-making.
An explosive Stones counter attack followed shortly after, stemming from a HRBFC corner, which creates a 3 vs 1 opportunity and allows Court to slot it in whilst being in acres of space to make it 4 to the away side.
The Beavers ended the game fairly strongly, but the multiple attacking moments unfortunately failed to result in any goal, despite the constant forward thinking desire from the boys.
A very attacking display from both the home and away sides, just wasn't to be on this occasion against a strong Maidstone side.
The boys are next in action on the 5th September vs AFC Totton at The Snows Stadium, but you can see us next at the Bev on the 8th September vs Farnborough.
Find your tickets HERE!
COME ON YOU BEAVERS
By Diego Effuso