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Hampton & Richmond Borough 1 Aveley 1

PLAYER of the month for September Craig Dundas hit a wonder strike to earn Hampton a well deserved draw, and a replay on Wednesday night at Ryman Premier opponents Aveley’s Mill Field ground, kick off 7.45pm.

The visiting Millers just about shaded the first 45 minutes before Hampton began to impose their superiority in the second period, only to find themselves behind against the run of play when a cross-cum-shot from the left appeared to deceive keeper Matt Lovett and sneak in. The home side responded though and found an equaliser through Craig Dundas, who hit a superb strike up and over Aveley stopper Jamie Lunan from 25 yards.

Beavers’ boss Alan Devonshire made several changes to the side that defeated Weymouth 3-0 in the league seven days previous, most notably bringing back Lawrence Yaku in attack in place of Ian Hodges, and Jamie Collins returning to midfield in place of Stuart Lake.

On a sunny autumnal afternoon at the Beveree, it was the visitors from Essex who began the livelier, with Sherwin Stanley heading over from a right wing cross, and the left foot of Sam Holloway causing problems in the Hampton box in the opening stages, with the hosts only response coming from Craig Tanner firing over the bar following a Barrie Matthews corner.

The Beavers had the ever reliable Lovett to thank for keeping the score goalless when two agile saves in quick succession, one to his right, followed by another to his left, denied Aveley’s Mitch Hahn and captain Ryan Doyle. This let off seemed to rejuvenate the home side as they responded with efforts at goal from Marcello Fernandes and Matthews, although visiting keeper Lunan was right behind both attempts. Shortly afterwards a sustained period of pressure saw a Dundas strike well blocked, before he then just failed to connect with a high cross from Graham Harper.

Aveley then had a chance when Matt Johnson found space in the box, but found John Scarborough in the way as he tried to force his effort into the bottom corner.

Hampton were gifted an opportunity on the half hour when a mis-cued clearance by Lunan fell into Dundas’ path, but one touch too many enabled the much travelled Aveley centre-back Stevland Angus to get in a challenge and the chance was gone. A few minutes later a dangerous cross from Fernandes had Lunan scampering across his goal but the ball was just beyond the reach of Dundas coming in at the far post, as Hampton ended the first half the stronger of the two sides.

The Beavers got the second half underway, seemingly intent on taking the game to their lower league opponents, earning a corner in the first minute following great control on the wing by Dundas, and then Matthews forcing the Millers’ keeper to push away his low effort. More good work by Matthews, a driving run before laying the ball off to Dundas, saw Lunan dive to his left to concede a corner from the striker’s powerful near post shot.
Following Matthews snap shot that sailed over from the set piece, Alan Devonshire made a double substitution with twenty minutes to go, replacing Fernandes and Yaku with Ashley Smith and Hodges. And the change almost had an immediate impact when from another pinpoint Matthews corner, Hodges rose highest to direct the ball goalwards, only to see the ball strike the underside of the bar and bounce away to safety. Jamie Collins then saw his curling effort clutched underneath the bar by Lunan, as Hampton continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock.

But as so often happens in football, the opening goal went the other way, as Aveley, who offered little as an attacking force in the second half, found a piece of good fortune, as a speculative effort wide left from Junior Dadson deceived Lovett at his near post with the help of a deflection off Orlando Jeffrey on its way. The Beveree fell silent apart from the small number of visiting fans from Essex, who surely couldn’t believe their side’s luck.

Hampton still had 17 minutes to find a way back into the tie, and a neat lay-off by Dundas teed up Craig Tanner whose snap shot flew just over. The well deserved equaliser though came with five minutes remaining, Dundas, who was a constant menace to the Aveley defence all afternoon, pounced on a loose ball 25 yards out to send an exquisite volley arrowing over Lunan into the back of the net to the relief of the Beveree faithful.

The final few minutes saw Hampton laying siege to the visitors’ goal, Dundas having the best opportunity, firing straight at the keeper when in a good position, but both sides had to settle for a replay on Wednesday night in Essex to determine who progresses to the fourth qualifying round when Conference Premier sides enter the fray.

After Wednesday night Hampton return to league action next Saturday when Worcester City make the trip to the Beveree, 3pm.

HAMPTON: Lovett, Harper, Tanner (Mcdonald), Jeffrey, Scarborough, Wells, Collins, Fernandes (Smith), Dundas, Yaku (Hodges), Matthews. Subs not used: Brathwaite, Lee-Charles, Collier.

great match report plus extra marks for dedication, you posted this gone half 3 this morning !

Seeing as I didn't get home til gone midnight, then proceeded to cook some food, I'm pretty happy with my effort even though my eyes were almost closed by the finish!