By Calum Preston Kelly
Hampton & Richmond were vastly unlucky to depart the field with nothing on Saturday, as Worthing left Beveree Stadium with all three points in a 3-2 victory.
It was an enthralling, end-to-end encounter from start to finish, in which both Kris Campbell and Bunmi Babajide scored their first goals for The Beavers. But Glen Rea scored what was ultimately the winning goal for Worthing just before the hour mark, Hampton & Richmond pushing hard late on for an equaliser which did not quite arrive.
Manager Alan Julian spoke after the final whistle: “That was an emotional rollercoaster – credit where it’s due to Worthing, they can play. But so can we, so it was a great game of football, 5 goals and we’ve come up short on the wrong side of that”.
After both sides lost in midweek – Worthing in fact on the wrong end of a 5-0 thumping in Truro while Hampton & Richmond lost by a single goal to nil in Bath – it was an important afternoon for both as they each sought a second league victory of the season.
It was the home side who started the brighter, with a James Roberts volley then a Babajide strike both kept out within the first five minutes by Worthing goalkeeper Chris Haigh.
The Rebels had a couple of early opportunities to break at the other end, but nevertheless when Hampton & Richmond took the lead on 19 minutes it was richly deserved. After Alfie Williams whipped a deep free kick into the box, a penalty box scramble ensued which culminated in Campbell striking with his weaker right foot towards goal. Despite the desperate attempts of the away defence, the ball ended up in the back of the net and The Beavers had the lead.
But this lead was ultimately short-lived, as Worthing found an equaliser against the run of play just six minutes later. Former Brighton and Coventry forward Danny Cashman was the goalscorer, with a simple finish in the centre of the box after a Tommy Willard ball across. The Rebels no.10’s third goal of the season was their first shot on goal of the game at the time.
Hampton & Richmond pressed for a second goal before the break, Roberts forcing Haigh into two more key saves, but to no avail as the sides went in level at one apiece.
The second period began in controversy, as Worthing shot-stopper Haigh clashed with Beavers striker Babajide – the home side feeling he appeared to strike the former Carshalton frontman in the face – but referee George Laplin gave the decision the other way as a free-kick to the away side.
Just two minutes later, the visitors had turned the game around. Cashman found Willard with space in the penalty area, and his strike beat Ted Curd to give Chris Agutter’s side the lead.
But the Rebels could not rest on their lead, as momentum switched back and forth dramatically as we neared the hour mark. On 56 minutes it was Hampton & Richmond’s turn to strike on the counter-attack – Williams with a lung-busting run from halfway, finding Jake Gray, who squared the ball for Babajide to sweep home and bring the match level once again. It was a devastating break from the home side, showcasing the quality which Alan Julian’s young team possesses.
But unfortunately for the home faithful, their delirium was once again fleeting, as Rea headed home from a Jack Spong corner to give Worthing the lead for the second time.
And this time, they would retain that lead to earn all three points. Roberts saw his shot saved by Haigh for the fourth time of the day, before substitute and new signing Mauro Vilhete saw a low shot palmed away. In the final moments of seven minutes of stoppage time, the Taylors combined as Archy found Jack, who couldn’t find the target.
Worthing were reduced to 10 men late on after goalscorer Rea was dismissed for a second bookable offence for delaying the restart, but Hampton & Richmond couldn’t quite make this advantage count and were left rueing missed opportunities.
There continue to be positive signs from The Beavers with impressive individual and collective performances across the park, but up to now this isn’t quite being reflected in results. Julian’s side will make the trip to Weymouth on Tuesday, hoping to turn their fortunes around.
“I’m somebody that when I get beaten, I just want to get back out there and play again, so I’m really looking forward to it. We will take the positives we saw today, and try to put it right on Tuesday”, said Julian.