On Saturday September 27th Hampton & Richmond Borough travel to Dover Athletic.
The Beavers travel to the South Coast looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.
Last time out Hampton & Richmond Borough came from behind against AFC Croydon to win 4-2 and advance to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, where we will travel to Wales to face National League North side Merthyr Town.
The step 4 Rams were up for a contest and took a shock lead through captain and former Crystal Palace academy player Luke Dreher in the 22nd minute, before parity was restored shortly after in the 27th when an inch perfect ball from Man of the Match Sam Deadfield was lifted over the Croydon ‘keeper first time by striker Reece Grego-Cox.
However, AFC Croydon were determined to make it as combative a fixture as possible, using physicality to bridge the gap in quality between the two sides. They accrued three yellow cards in the opening thirty minutes for their troubles. They regained the lead just before halftime through a wonderful strike from former Beaver Kadell Daniel.
Manager Alan Julian did not have to read his side the riot act as the first half performance was a good one despite going into the break one down, and the provider of the first scored the second, as Deadfield brought the side level in the 67th minute. It was a quick one-two punch from the Beavers to knock out the Rams as Craig Fasanmade scored the third on his 26th birthday.
Ronan Silva added another in the 88th minute courtesy of another pass from Deadfield in what was a classy second half showing from the home side.
Their upcoming opponents Dover sit seventh in the National League South table after eight matches played just two points below our total of fifteen. It is a good start for the newly promoted side who came up from the Isthmian Premier League via the playoffs, beating Dartford in the final. This is their second stint in the National League South in three years, as they last competed at this level in the 2023/24 season.
The Whites have four wins in the season so far, with only one coming at the Crabble Athletic Ground. Most recently they faced Farnborough away twice in a row, winning the first, a league fixture, 1-2, but falling in the second 4-1 and exiting the FA Cup at the second qualifying round. Despite losing three times, each loss came at the hands of a team in the top eight and their solitary draw came against the recently struggling but traditionally strong Dagenham & Redbridge.
Up front, Dover boast George Nikaj and Ruben Soares Jr who are tied for first and third respectively in the scoring charts on 6 and 4. Other names to look out for include forward Francis Mampolo. The 22-year-old spent time as a youngster at Newcastle and was recently named in the Baller League team of the season for 2025. Their number one Mitch Walker has made over 300 appearances for the Whites in two spells and has turned out for England C. Finally, 6ft7in centre back Jalen Jones is a product of Crystal Palace’s academy and has been capped 14 times at international level for Guyana.
Hampton and Richmond Borough will look to continue their good form and emulate the result they produced when they last faced Dover Athletic in the National League South, winning 1-0 both home and away in the 23/24 season.
The Beavers are on the road for two straight matches with our trip to Wales in the FA Cup, so make sure you are there to support the lads when they finally return to Beveree Stadium on the 4th of October to face Slough Town.
Get your tickets here.
By Jack Lonergan