On Saturday October 11th Hampton & Richmond Borough will welcome National League side Eastleigh for a spot in the FA Cup first round proper.
If the Beavers advance this weekend, it will equal the club’s best run in the competition, which they have achieved four times before, most recently in the 2020/21 where a 2-3 loss to Oldham Athletic ended their campaign.
Last time out Hampton & Richmond Borough saw an eight-match unbeaten run come to an end after a 2-3 loss at home to Slough Town. Despite conceding three, two came from rebounds and one was a freekick which snuck through the wall. Meanwhile, HRBFC had 24 shots in a game that manager Alan Julian reflected on by stating,
“I can’t be angry at that performance. The result [is] very frustrating but if we play like that nine times out of ten, we’ll come out on top.”
Despite the loss the excellent start to the season from the team and Julian is typified in his post-match interview comments. The cerebral attitude to the loss which was no doubt disappointing demonstrated the confidence he has in his squad and coaching staff that they are in the right path and will head into this all-important fixture with the right mentality.
The National League opposition for Saturday have enjoyed a palimpsestic start to their season sitting in thirteenth after thirteen matches played. They have won five and lost five and have a goal difference of zero after both scoring and conceding fifteen goals.
Recently they have enjoyed a three-match unbeaten streak since new manager Scott Bartlett arrived.
Bartlett joined the Hampshire side on the 24th of September from Weston-Super-Mare. He was at the National League South side since 2019 and led them to promotion in 2023, and in the National League South this season Bartlett led them to a great start, sitting 2nd on 22 points from nine games at the time of his departure.
After Eastleigh matched the desired release clause, Bartlett made the switch to the Spitfires, and this tie will be only his fourth match in charge since taking the helm. In the previous three matches Eastleigh have drawn to Wealdstone and Solihull Moors either side of a victory over Truro City.
In a post-match interview over the weekend Bartlett said he is anticipating a “tough game” against a “good club and team” in Hampton & Richmond Borough, a club and ground in Beveree Stadium he has visited twice in the past, drawing once and losing once.
Bartlett recognised the importance of the match to both teams, obviously HRBFC will be well up for it, but he made sure to motivate his own side, especially after they fell at the first hurdle last season in the FA Cup, losing to Southend United after conceding a late winner in the 93rd minute.
The twelfth man will play a crucial role this Saturday, and in his post-match interview after the Slough tie Julian praised the support his team has received so far.
He said, “Our fans have been outstanding this season, I can’t give them enough credit…more so than previous seasons I’ve been here. Every little bit of support you give us really helps so please keep it up!”
With an eye on the upcoming cup tie he said, “It’s a big day down at the Bev next week I encourage everyone to get out and support us. We’re under no illusions, we’re up against a good team a full-time team but that’s the FA Cup, that’s what it’s all about.”
We could not have said it any better ourselves, get your tickets for the biggest match of the season so far right here.
Make your voices heard this Saturday, and as ever,
UP THE BEAVERS.
By Jack Lonergan