Hampton & Richmond head to Vauxhall Road as they hope to continue their play-off push against mid-table Hemel Hempstead.
Where They Stand
Following two successive dramatic late winners at home to Eastbourne Borough and Chippenham Town, the Beavers currently hold a commanding position in the National League South. Currently sitting in sixth place at the start of the day, Hampton & Richmond hold one, two and even three games in hand on all their nearest rivals. If results go their way today, they could finish the weekend as high as third. Defeat today would leave them susceptible to falling out of the play-off positions momentarily, with Bath, Maidstone and Aveley ready to capitalise on a bad result.
National League South League Table At Start of Weekend
| Position | Games Played | Team | Points |
| 4 | 37 | Braintree Town |
64 |
| 5 | 38 | St Albans | 63 |
| 6 | 36 | Hampton & Richmond | 63 |
| 7 | 37 | Bath City | 61 |
| 8 | 37 | Maidstone | 61 |
The Tudors, meanwhile, find themselves in mid-table after a disappointing couple of months. The hosts have lost all of their last five league fixtures, and amongst that they made the decision to change their Manager, welcoming former Beaver boss Alan Dowson to the helm. The former Hampton & Richmond Manager will be hoping for the fairytale launch to his Hemel career with a win against his old side, after two disappointing defeats to Bath and Eastbourne.
Hemel Hempstead Last Five Results
| Bath City (A) | 2-0 (L) |
| Eastbourne Borough (A) | 1-0 (L) |
| Havant & Waterlooville (H) | 0-2 (L) |
| Chelmsford (H) | 1-4 (L) |
| Weston Super Mare (H) | 1-2 (L) |
Last Time Out
Hampton & Richmond battled on to see out a 2-1 win over mid-table Hemel Hempstead to continue a remarkable run of form, with nine wins from their last ten league games.
Two headers from Ruaridh Donaldson gave the Beavers another three points, moving them to second in the league.
While a late goal from substitute Tyrese Briscoe was not enough to spur a Hemel Hempstead comeback on the cold December day.
Ben Seymour coincidentally turned out to be a thorn in the side of the Henry VIII affiliated side and delivered the ball which Ruaridh Donaldson met unopposed to head the Beavers into the lead.
Seymour again found himself down the left wing and this time cut the ball back to an emerging Jordan Thomas, whose shot stung the gloves Hemel Hempstead goalkeeper Craig King.
From the resulting corner, Jake Gray’s in-swinger showed Donaldson’s arial ability once more as he found the roof of the net to double Hampton & Richmond’s lead.
Craig King was kept busy, as Seymour let a Dan Wishart thrown-in roll past him and walloped one on the turn just before the half.
Hemel Hempstead tried to keep the game interesting, as substitute Briscoe scored at the back post following Tyrelle Newton’s cross.
But their defensive set-up did not aid itself to a remarkable comeback, as their one-dimensional attack of crosses from wing-backs was snuffed out by the capable Beavers back-line.
The Tudors right-sided wingback, who may be recognised from his stint on Love Island, Montel McKenzie scuppered the best equalising opportunity, sent through on goal but shooting wide.
Fixture History
The Beavers and the Tudors are very well acquainted, facing off no less than 27 times since 1967. The highest scoring game saw Hampton & Richmond emerge 5-3 winners away from home under Chick Botley in 1995.
At Vauxhall Road, the Beavers have won just once in the 21st Century, progressing in the FA Cup with a 1-0 win courtesy of Nico Muir.
|
Played |
27 |
| Won | 10 |
| Drawn | 6 |
| Lost | 11 |