On Saturday 19th September Hampton & Richmond Borough welcome Isthmian League South East side Crowborough Athletic for our first FA Cup fixture of the season and our first ever meeting with the side!
Last time out the lads earned a 1-1 draw against an unbeaten Chelmsford City side, courtesy of forward Jasper Mather’s second strike in two matches, following his emphatic finish in our 2-0 midweek win over Farnborough.
Last year’s FA Cup campaign started with a 4-2 victory against another Step 4 side AFC Croydon Athletic before travelling to Wales to face Merthyr Town in the third qualifying round. A memorable 1-0-win courtesy of a penalty save from James Holden and a goal from Craig Fasanmade set up a match up with National League side Eastleigh in the fourth and final qualifying round as we looked to match our best ever run in the competition, but it was not to be as we fell 2-0 to a Spitfires side which included Luis Fernandez.
Saturday’s opponents, nicknamed the Crows, started their FA Cup campaign on the 8th of August in the extra preliminary round, beating Guernsey FC 5-0.
On the 22nd of August, they then progressed into the first qualifying round against Epsom & Ewell 0-3 away from home to set up a tie with Step 3 big-spending new boys AFC Whyteleafe.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw with the Crows securing a replay in the 82nd minute through Elliot Duncan.
The replay was played on Wednesday September 9th at Flamingo Park, and Duncan was on hand again to score late, this time securing a 3-2 victory for his side in the 92nd minute.
The win earned the Crows only their third appearance in the competition’s second qualifying round, reaching this stage in the 2017-18 and 2008-9 seasons, even reaching the third qualifying round in the latter.
Fan favourite Elliott Duncan has six goals in ten appearances this season, but more impressively he made his 100th appearance for the club on the 22nd of August.
Behind him is midfielder Rushaar Samuel-Smike who rejoined the Crows this season after spells at Sittingbourne, Hastings Untied and Herne Bay. The 24/25 supporters’ player of the year scored 24 goals to help the club earn promotion to Step 4, and has started this season well, scoring six goals.
Fellow Midfielder Harry Forster has contributed five goals in ten games and will be one to watch.
Despite the Crows enjoying the magic of the FA Cup so far this season, they have not fared as well in the league, sitting in 19th after only picking up three points in their opening five games.
It should be an interesting tie this weekend at Beveree Stadium for our last home match of September!
UP THE BEAVERS!
By Jack Lonergan