Hampton & Richmond Borough were defeated 1-3 by Maidenhead United at The Bev, despite a valiant effort. Early goals from Chanse Headman and Josh Popoola set the tone for the game, as the hybrid professional side proved to be just a step above.
HRBFC returned to The Bev after a promising 2-0 win last time against AFC Totton, but with a new manager at the helm.
Alan Dowson returned to HRBFC as manager, getting his first chance to examine the side from the dugout.
Mid-table Maidenhead United came into the game in a good run of form. The visitors had won all their previous three games.
Harry Gardner looked a threat from set pieces right from the off, putting a good cross into the box which was headed on target. Goalkeeper Jordi Van Stappershoef caught the ball to keep it at 0-0 at the sixth minute.
After only nine minutes, Jordon Ragguette caught the ball almost perfectly with his laces, sending it soaring through the air but just past the far post, giving the first real warning for the HRBFC defence.
Eleven minutes in, Maidenhead whipped in a corner, which took a series of scuffs and deflections before it landed at Headman’s feet who got the definitive touch to beat Matt Rowley and gave the Magpies the lead.
Just eight minutes later, 19-year-old Popoola put his laces through the ball on the edge of the box, which gave Rowley little chance of stopping the strike which nestled into the roof of the net to double the visitors’ lead.
HRBFC responded to going two down in the 22nd minute. Davide Rodari was brought down just on the edge of the box, which gave Gardner another set piece opportunity. Gardner struck the ball hard and low and forced a great save from Stappershoef, keeping his clean sheet intact. However, the ‘keeper was unable to hold on to the ball and it spilt loose in the six-yard box before being put out for a corner, which eventually came to nothing.
In the 28th, the livewire Popoola showcased his quick feet again as he put together a series of step-overs before he cut inside to hit a dangerous shot at the bottom corner, lashing the side netting.
With Dowson at the helm, the somewhat new-look HRBFC looked to build up slowly from the back. This was helped by Maidenhead stepping off and not pressing as hard, which allowed HRBFC to get into a groove and start spreading the ball around confidently.
At half-time, the score stood 0-2 to the visitors.
Maidenhead United came out the blocks firing to start off the second half. Popoola showed more scintillating skill down the right-hand side and played in a perfectly weighted cross for Josh Umerah, who glanced the ball past Rowley to make the score 3-0 just two minutes after the restart.
HRBFC tried to get back into the game, with a long ball from new loan signing Aaron Lacey towards Rodari. The ball was slightly overhit, and ‘keeper Stappershoef was able to mop up on the hour mark.
Second-half substitute Mike Atkinson was only on the pitch for a total of thirteen minutes. Entering the fray in the 55th, and after an ugly high footed challenge to the gut of Umerah, he was given his marching orders in the 68th.
Popoola continued to be the bright spark for his side 73 minutes in, as he burst down the right-hand side before he cut a pass back to the edge of the box. Asher Yearwood was lined up for the chance and attempted to place his shot into the far corner, but it was a yard the wrong side of the post as far as the visiting fans were concerned.
Only three minutes later, Maidenhead found themselves back in the box with some incredible footwork which created some space before the shot was taken. HRBFC had a man on the line to limit the damage preventing another goal.
Liam Dulson could have capped off the performance with a fourth goal for Maidenhead, but an amazing save from Rowley kept him out. Dulson received the ball after a low cross was whipped in from the right-hand side, which he met first time to turn goalwards, but Rowley made himself big in a fantastic piece of goalkeeping.
Ronan Silva’s tenacity paid off in the 81st minute, as he won the ball back off the Maidenhead defence before charging down on goal and slotting the ball calmly past the ‘keeper to give the home side a consolation goal.
The tie finished 1-3, and Dowson will be hoping to see a marked improvement in his second game in charge this Saturday at Beveree Stadium against Maidstone United.
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Up the Beavers!
By Jake Holmes.