A quiet night ended in dramatic fashion as Mason Bloomfield broke the deadlock in the sixth minute of added time to earn an important three points for Hampton & Richmond in their battle for a play-off spot. The winner came after an Alex Gibson-Hammond free kick found Isaac Pitblado who quickly squared the ball to substitute Bloomfield. The forward made no mistake sending it home for his first goal since Boxing Day. 

The Beavers now go four unbeaten, while Eastbourne remain in 22nd place. Until the 96th minute dramatics, both teams had their fair share of chances and a point each would have been a fair result.  

The Beavers first good chance of the game came from a Rob Hall free kick just outside the box in the 16th minute. It looked certain for the bottom left corner before Eastbourne goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes pushed it away.  

Hampton & Richmond had another great chance to take the lead with ten minutes left in the first half, but Foulkes was quick off his line to deny Ben Seymour’s blistering shot. The chance was somewhat against the run of play, and Borough immediately followed-up with two of their own attempts on goal. 

The end of the first half turned a little testy, with two Eastbourne players receiving yellow cards in their own end. Ruaridh Donaldson was then perhaps fortunate to only receive a yellow after his late challenge had the away side swarming the referee to give a red.  

It was much of the same in the second half as both teams had their chances, but neither could find the go-ahead. The feistiness also continued as Eastbourne’s captain Brad Barry received his second booking of the day to be sent off in the 87th minute.  

The game looked set to remain scoreless until Bloomfield’s last-minute heroics. 

Hampton & Richmond face Chippenham Town next this Saturday 9th March at 3pm at the Bev.