On Tuesday December 2nd Hampton & Richmond Borough welcome AFC Totton to Beveree stadium.
The first fixture of December 2025 for the Beavers will be the first without manager Alan Julian at the helm since August 2024, and the first without his involvement in any capacity, whether that be as a player or coach, since October 2020.
It was announced on Monday December 1st that Julian was to depart by mutual consent. We wish Julian all the best both professionally and personally. Read the full announcement and a message from Julian here.
This Tuesday HRBFC will be looking to bounce back from a humbling 0-6 defeat suffered at the hands of Eastbourne Borough last Saturday.
The quick turnaround offers the players a chance to immediately put that result behind them against the Stags.
The newly promoted side have enjoyed a decent start to life at the highest level they have ever competed at, currently sitting in 10th.
Their manager, Jimmy Ball, recently reached 200 games in charge and has overseen two promotions, a league title, and four trophies since joining in March of 2022.
In those 200 games he won 127, averaging 2.09 points per game, with a win percentage of 63.5%.
This season they have nine wins in the league, including an impressive seven match unbeaten run in late September to mid-October, besting Torquay, Frome Town and National League Truro City in the FA Cup as well as recording a 2-0 win away at Horsham and an impressive 3-1 home victory versus Weston-Super-Mare.
However, more recently their form has taken a downturn. They have won one of their last five, a 1-2 away victory at Step 3 Folkestone Invicta in the FA Trophy.
Their last win in the league came on the 4th of November, and they have suffered four defeats in five league games, losing 0-2 to Ebbsfleet, 4-0 to Worthing, 3-2 to Slough Town and most recently 0-5 to Dagenham & Redbridge, being on the wrong side of an Andy Carroll hat-trick.
The Stages have scored 40 goals in all competitions this season, thirteen more than our own tally, but have only conceded one fewer goal, shipping 44 in 26 matches.
There are plenty of players to keep an eye on throughout the Stags side, starting with defender Joe Oastler. The veteran centre back started with career at Portsmouth but spent much of his early career in League Two with Torquay and is a calming presence at the back for the Stages.
At the other end of the pitch, winger Ashley Clarke is on loan from AFC Bournemouth. The 19-year-old was with Totton last season but saw his playing time limited as the Cherries wanted him to play a big part in their PL2 campaign.
This will be the first competitive meeting between Hampton & Richmond Borough and AFC Totton.
The Beavers will be eager to bounce back, and will need the support of the Bev, make sure you play your part and secure your tickets HERE!
Up The Beavers!