On Saturday November 8th, The Beavers will travel to Essex to face 14th- placed Chelmsford City.
Last time out it was defeat on the South Coast against Worthing for an injury-riddled HRBFC side. We only named three outfield players on the bench, who had an average age of eighteen. Eight players are currently out, all of which would “arguably start” in the opinions of Alan Julian in his post-match interview.
One of which was new Bromley-loanee George Penn who recently signed a three-month deal with the club. The midfielder started this season at Salisbury on loan, scoring one goal in the FA Cup.
The 3-0 defeat was Hampton & Richmond Borough’s seventh loss in a row, and although Julian knows it is a squad game, he did realise that it is hard to change the state of the game with limited options on the bench. A 26th minute goal from a corner was further extended after a poor mistake in the 59th minute, and then a deflected strike in the 80th well and truly put the game out of reach.
This Saturday will be another tough challenge, despite Chelmsford only sitting two places above the Beavers. They have a game in hand, and last time out secured their place in the FA Cup second round courtesy of a 4-1 win over local rivals Braintree Town.
Lyle Taylor netted a brace, and a player signed that morning, Jesurun Uchegbulam capped off a quick counter-attacking move.
The former Nottingham Forest man has enjoyed life in a claret shirt, scoring four times in seven appearances.
He has also featured twenty times for Caribbean nation Monserrat, netting on thirteen occasions.
They have recorded five wins and five losses this season and only lost once in their first six fixtures.
Last time out in the league they beat Dover Athletic, but that victory on the 28th of October was their first league win since the 20th of September.
The head to head between the two sides is interesting reading, with both sides winning eleven times in 29 meetings, and with the Ravens scoring just one goal more than the Beavers.
Last season HRBFC beat Chelmsford at Beveree and secured a point on the road.
Alan Julian and his men will be hoping to go one better this season and bring all three points back to Southwest London.
Tickets for the Beavers return are live here! So if you cannot travel to support the lads, make sure you’re back at the Bev on November 22nd and 25th for two massive ties as the busy Christmas period is on the horizon.
Up the Beavers!
By Jack Lonergan