Coming into the match against Chippenham, the task was simple, just one point would take care of business.
After three impressive home wins on the bounce and some good results away from home, with three games to go Alan Dowson and his side left themselves in a great position.
Chippenham needed a win to stay up and despite their poor away form came into the tie with five wins from their last eight, and in their first half their good form showed.
A nervous display from Hampton & Richmond Borough saw the hosts play within themselves, and the visiting Bluebirds capitalized, taking the lead through their top scorer Harry Parson’s headed home at the back post in the eleventh minute.
A set piece was fired back across goal by the all-action captain and centre back Luke Haines who was everywhere for Chippenham on the day and nabbed himself a rare assist when his number nine gave Marcus Dewhurst no chance in front of the Keith Hussey stand.
With an early lead to protect, Chippenham retreated into their half and operated a mid-block, only pressing once the Beavers crossed the halfway line.
The nerves permeated from the pitch to the stands as the visitor’s goal quietened the home support, who again showed out in their numbers with 933 in attendance.
Much like in their previous fixture versus 10-man Maidenhead, HRBFC struggled to break down their opponent, with very little space to exploit for the likes of Frimpong and Gardner in midfield.
As has become a regular feature since his arrival, Eduino Vaz was a bright spark and had some joy delivering balls into the box, and ahead of him Brendan Kiernan often got the better of his opposite number, but the movement in a congested penalty area left a little to be desired, and any shots on target were blocked or tame.
The hosts went into half-time a goal down, and in his post-match interview Alan Dowson told the club he told his players to “relax and play the game, not the occasion.”
The Beavers came out of the blocks with the bit between their teeth and a newfound impetus, creating a flurry of chances, with Max Kretzschmar coming closest after a neat pass from Daniel Nkrumah played him through one-on-one in the 70th minute, only for Haines to seemingly come out of nowhere and block the effort.
However, the status quo was restored from the resulting corner, as Kretzschmar’s best delivery of the afternoon found Oxford United loanee Aaron Lacey at the back post for his fourth goal of the season in the 71st minute, eerily similar to his goal against Slough Town.
The goal was celebrated as if it was a screamer, revitalizing the Beavers fans who had gathered behind the goal and greeted Lacey as he came over.
It was now Chippenham’s turn to go on the offensive but could not create much in a game that was devoid of much quality, and definitely had the tense feeling of a relegation decider.
Instead, it was substitute Reece Grego-Cox who could’ve sealed a victory for the home side in the 87th minute as the ball was squared to him, but Will Henry made an unbelievable save from close range to deny the March Goal of the Month winner his eleventh in all competitions.
The five added minutes came and went without much fanfare as everyone waited for the sight of relief, which was to come via the final whistle, and when it did, the tune of “we are staying up” rang out across the terraces of the Bev.
Job done!
Up the Beavers!
Be sure to come to the Bev for the final game of the season against Enfield at 12:30pm on April 25th and celebrate all we have achieved this season, it is just the beginning!
Tickets HERE
By Jack Lonergan