By Calum Preston Kelly
A breathtaking second-half performance was the difference as Hampton & Richmond ran out deserved 3-1 winners against Eastbourne Borough at Beveree Stadium.
The Beavers had been unfortunate to trail 1-0 at half-time but came out all guns blazing for the second period, with three goals in 13 minutes turning the game on its head.
Half-time substitute Jake Gray was a difference maker, getting a goal and an assist to take home the Man of the Match award.
But it was a night of star performances throughout the team, with both Gianni Crichlow and Renedi Masampu shining on their first league starts for the club.
On the first Beveree Stadium night under the lights of the campaign, Alan Julian’s Beavers went out determined to put on a show for an ever-brilliant support.
Within two minutes the home side had created the game’s first opportunity, Mauro Vilhete driving through midfield and forcing Joseph Wright into a save.
Eastbourne would soon provide a warning at the other end, George Alexander finding a yard in the box but dragging his shot just wide.
Hampton & Richmond continued to show promise, Crichlow with a great run and cross from the left which Vilhete wasn’t quite able to meet on the stretch.
But it was Eastbourne frontman Alexander who would open the scoring on 17 minutes to net his third goal in as many games.
Isaac Pitblado provided the assist, finding Alexander who poked home from close range.
Just minutes later the same man came close to scoring a second, a combination of Ted Curd and Jack Taylor keeping out his backheeled attempt following a corner.
Soon it was Jack Taylor’s turn to come close to finding the net for The Beavers, seeing his downward header bounce just over the bar. But that would only be a sign of things to come.
The latter stages of the first half were broken up by an injury apiece for both sides, with Hampton & Richmond withdrawing Billy French just prior to the break to be replaced by Archy Taylor.
The Beavers went in to regroup at the interval after an even first half, knowing that a turnaround was well within their grasp.
And that would prove to be true, with Eastbourne unable to handle the home side’s fluid attacking exchanges and constant threat on the counter.
Both Josh Keeya and substitute Gray came close before the floodgates opened on 54 minutes.
It was Gray’s corner which created the equalising goal, Jack Taylor the goalscorer with a towering header at the far post.
The young defender was second-time lucky following his almost identical opportunity in the first half – and from that point on, Hampton & Richmond did not look back.
Taylor’s namesake Archy would make his own key contribution just three minutes later, a brave run forward from right-back leading to a rash challenge from goalkeeper Wright and an inevitable penalty.
Portuguese-born midfielder Vilhete would step up to take the kick, with the cheekiest of panenkas deceiving Wright to turn the game on its head.
The chances would keep coming: Vilhete got in behind but saw his shot blocked, then Gray’s header from a Crichlow cross was inches away.
But Gray would score his third of the season and The Beavers’ third of the night with just over 20 minutes to play.
It was easily the pick of the bunch, an immaculate team goal showing Alan Julian’s side at their very best.
Masampu broke forward on the counter, twisting past a defender to find Vilhete, whose delightful first-time pass was right into the path of the onrushing Beavers #10. Gray drilled home to send the home crowd into delirium.
Alan Julian’s men were enjoying themselves, Alfie Williams seeing a 40-yard lob go just over, before Masampu’s curling effort was tipped away from the top corner by Wright.
Other than a close shave where Eastbourne substitute Yahya Bamba hit the side netting from just yards out, the away side created little in the second period as The Beavers defence stood firm.
After seven minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew on an important three points in TW12.
Hampton & Richmond ended the day in 14th, while the visitors drop to sixth.
Next up for Alan Julian’s side is a trip to Chippenham Town on Saturday, hoping to see out October in style.