THAT`LL DO NICELEY
Braintree Town 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2
Marks, 25 Hosges, 16 ; R Lake,pen,71 Att; 451
Blue Square South Saturday 23rd August
All things come to those who wait, they say. Well, it took six visits to Braintree before the Beavers avoided a defeat, five previous trips had produced five losses, the bonus was that Hampton recorded a 2-1 victory and extended their unbeaten start to the season to four. The Essex side have now lost all four of their opening games of the season, curiously all by the odd goal!
The usual traffic problems on the M25 led to the team bus arriving less than an hour before the game but it didn`t seem to faze the players at all as they came racing off the blocks.
In fact, Hampton could have led after just four minutes. Ryan Lake is getting a bit cheeky when it comes to free kicks. For the second time this season Ryan Lake almost netted from 50 yards out, following a foul he floated his effort over the Braintree keeper Craig Holloway who was wandering out to the eighteen yard lane, the ball soared over Holloway but bounced on the top of the cross bar for a goal kick, a right royal let off for the home side. A few minutes later Ryan Lake intercepted a pass in midfield, Ian Hodges found Lawrence Yaku, the ball was cut back to Stuart Lake but the final pass was cleared before Hodges could strike. Hampton had a couple of good shouts for penalties turned aside by Referee Bampton but were soon on the score sheet. In the 16th minutes Barrie Matthews, back in the side after a three game suspension, crossed from the right, Hodges powered in a header from some eight yards out. Braintree levelled things up nine minutes later, a cross from the left somehow eluded Hampton`s defence and Sean Marks scored from close range. Half time came with the score still at 1-1, the scoreline flattering Braintree somewhat.
On the hour mark Hampton`s keeper Matt Lovett had to react quickly to turn a header over the bar for a corner. Minutes later it was Holloway`s turn to spring into action as he got down to his left to turn Stuart Lake`s header away for a corner. In the 71st minute Hodges finally got a decision in his favour from the Referee. Stephen Cooke, on for a matter of minutes picked out Hodges who, after being bashed, elbowed and tripped for most of the preceding 70 minutes was blatantly shoved over in the penalty area, Ryan Lake netting the spot kick to put the Beavers back in front. Ten minutes later Hampton nearly had a third. Cooke crossed in from the right, Hodges shot was blocked, as was the rebound and the ball spun agonisingly just over Stuart Lake before spinning away for a corner.
Hampton ended the day up a couple of places in 7th spot.
Team Line-up;-
Matt Lovett; Graham Harper, Ryan Lake, Orlando Jeffrey, John Scarborough, Dean Wells, Stuart Lake, Robbie Kember, Ian Hodges, Lawrence Yaku (Marcello Fernandes, 77), Barrie Matthews (Stephen Cooke, 6
.
Subs not used ; Elliott Brathwaite, Steve Tyson & Glenn Harris
Bookings ; John Scarborough
Man of the Match ; Ian Hodges
