Jon Harland
Hampton & Richmond FC cruised past Hashtag United 3-0 at Beveree Stadium to progress to the fourth round of the FA Trophy.
Alex Wall’s sensational bicycle kick put the Beavers ahead after the break and goals from Jake Gray and James Roberts secured the win.
The home side had their best run in this competition last season when they made the last 16 and a victory in the next round would match this feat.
This was the first time the Tags had reached the third round since YouTuber ‘Spencer FC’ formed the club in 2016, who currently compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
The early stages were evenly contested, with Alfie Williams forcing a save from Jack Giddens and Hashtag’s set pieces testing the Beavers’ defence.
Despite Toby Aromolaran and Sakariya Hassan creating promising chances for the away side, Hampton & Richmond began to control proceedings, but they couldn’t penetrate the Tags’ backline in the first half.
Wall stunned ‘the Bev’ in the 51st minute when the 34-year-old converted an audacious bicycle kick after a scramble in the box following a corner.
Substitutes Mike Atkinson and Jake Gray inspired a dominant second-half showing as the home side carved out numerous chances.
Hashtag weren't going out without a fight, forcing a superb save from Ted Curd who tipped a header over the bar from six yards.
Fellow substitute Mauro Vilhete combined brilliantly with Gray to set the latter through on goal, slotting the ball past Giddens in the 78th minute.
Atkinson mopped up a sloppy backpass, coming out of nowhere to steal the ball from Aromolaran who was through on goal.
James Roberts ensured the Beavers earned the win in stoppage time to claim his 10th goal of the campaign and the third of the game.
Alan Julian said: “The FA Trophy was the first thing I ever won as a player, and to get the taste of winning something was amazing.
“I’d love my players to have that moment; the finals at Wembley, and to play there is the dream.
“We appreciate we’re a long way from that, but that’s the target.”
On their overall performance: “I thought we weren’t great in the first half, we were a little bit scrappy in possession, but we were solid and kept it nil-nil.
“In the second half, we scored three really, really good goals, and I was really pleased for ‘Wally,’ rolling back the years with that one.
“He’s brilliant around the place, the boys love him to bits, and he’s got Man of the Match, so well done to him.”
Julian made seven changes from last week’s 1-1 draw at Hornchurch but emphasised the importance of utilising squad depth.
“I say this to the players a lot, we’ll use some players for some games and some players for others because every player has different attributes.
“Whoever plays has to be trusted otherwise they wouldn’t be at this football club.”
The fourth round draw takes place on Monday, 9th December.
The Beavers are back in league action at Beveree Stadium on Tuesday, 10th December, facing second-placed Weston-super-Mare at 19:45. Tickets can be purchased HERE.