Hampton & Richmond Borough welcome Torquay United to Beveree Stadium on Tuesday September 2nd.
The Beavers will be looking for their fourth win in a row in their first home much under our new floodlights this Tuesday it what has been a dream start for Alan Julian and his men. Before the season started, the fixtures were projected to be very tough, yet despite being underdogs in almost every tie in the season so far, Hampton & Richmond find themselves 3rd in the table on thirteen points from their opening six matches.
Their latest triumph came in dramatic fashion against Ebbsfleet United, coming out 3-2 victors in a back-and-forth affair. Late winners are quickly becoming a trademark of this side who made it three on the bounce with Craig Fasanmade’s first of the season. The acrobatic effort came against the run of play in the 87th minute, but the home side had put in a very good display over the 90 in a game which would air as the perfect advertisement for National League South football.
Despite being the final match of August, Autumn started early at the Bev as wind and a light drizzle threatened to dampen proceedings. Luckily both sets of players and fans were still in the summer spirit.
The match started quickly, with Hampton & Richmond going ahead in just the 12th minute courtesy of a clever freekick from QPR loanee Alfie Tuck, who bent his effort around the wall to catch Ebbsfleet ‘keeper Mark Cousins out.
The Beavers doubled their lead through the in-form Davide Rodari six minutes later. The Swiss-Italian latched onto the end of a searching channel ball from Soul Kader, stood his man up one-on-one and cooly slotted the ball home with his weaker left foot. Rodari has five goal contributions in the opening six matches.
Ebbsfleet did not lie down and pulled one back in the 20th minute with a half-volley from Jake Hessenthaler. They continued to grow into the game, and despite a momentum-slowing half-time break, drew level in the 67th minute from an unfortunate mistake from Beaver’s ‘keeper James Holden.
The ‘Fleet looked the more likely side to go and snatch three points, but substitutes Sam Deadfield, Reece-Grego-Cox and Craig Fasanmade all contributed to sealing the 3 points for the home side as Fasanmade got on the end of a wonderful cross from Paul Field.
Their midweek opponents sit in seventh following their latest result, a loss away to Hemel Hempstead.
In a post-match interview, manager Paul Wotton said he was “beyond angry” with his side. He was “shocked with the performance” and didn’t “know where that came from”.
Last season’s second-placed side who lost in the semi-finals of the playoffs will expect to be up towards the top of the table at the end of the season, and despite their latest result have started the season well.
They are the league second-top scorers with 12 goals, scoring three on three occasions, but will have the tough task of breaking down and Hampton & Richmond defensive shape which is working very well as a unit and giving the side a solid base to attack from, especially against teams such as Torquay who will look to dominate possession.
Torquay will be looking to get their first away win of the season in the ninth ever meeting between the two sides on Tuesday, but Hampton & Richmond are confident they can keep this good run of form going and continue to compete with the biggest clubs and best squads in the league, in which they are forcing their own to be included in that conversation.
Do not miss some blockbuster midweek action under the lights at Beveree Stadium this Tuesday September 2nd. Get your tickets here.
By Jack Lonergan