HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOW OUT OF FA CUP
By Jack Holmes for Teddington Town
Photos by Ollie Palmer
Hampton & Richmond Borough FC have dropped out of the FA Cup in the 4th qualifying round to National League side Eastleigh after goals from Jake Vokins and Harvey Saunders, losing 2-0 at the Beaver Stadium.
Eastleigh took the lead in the 27th minute after the ball ping-ponged around the edge of the box and was chested down and volleyed by Vokins, looping it into the top corner past the outstretched diving hands of Holden.
Eight minutes later the lead was doubled by Saunders who notched home a free header. The cross was glided in from the right-hand side, floating over the defenders’ heads. Saunders sprinted in from just outside the box to meet the ball completely alone, placing the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
Before the goals, the game was fairly even. Whenever Eastleigh managed to pass their way into the box, the ball was smothered by men in crimson, with the visitors not having a clean look at goal.
At 0-0, HRBFC had two great efforts on goal in quick succession just 10 minutes in, with Kader cutting inside from the right and striking the woodwork and the rebound popping back out for Mason to strike on the half volley, forcing a terrific save from goalkeeper Nick Townsend.
HRBFC goalkeeper James Holde was blameless for each goal and effectively collected crosses and made a handful of good saves throughout the match.
Confidence and composure started to drain from HRBFC after the opening goal, with passing in the middle of the park becoming increasingly sloppy and Eastleigh finding it easy to regain possession in the HRBFC half, keeping pressure up on the Beavers.
Pressure continued to build on HRBFC, as they gave the ball away yet again in their own half under limited pressure, leading to Humphries skinning his man and putting Lundstram through, who’s effort was forced wide by the keeper.
Manager Alan Julian decided to change things up at half time, bringing off Sam Deadfield for Davide Rodari, a roll of the dice to try and keep the tie alive, this came hand in hand with a change in formation. Rodari’s appearance was fleeting, only lasting nine minutes until an injury forced his replacement, with Eddie Allsopp coming on.
HRBFC pumped both men and the ball into the box to start the second half, putting pressure onto the Eastleigh defence. Unfortunately, most crosses were unable to find a teammate. One cross led to a penalty appeal from the home support, but it was quickly dismissed by the referee. The players did not argue the case with any real conviction.
In the closing moments, HRBFC won a free kick in a threatening crossing position, with the cross winning a subsequent corner. But the corner not only was headed clear, a poor back pass nearly gave Eastleigh 3-0 lead.
Holden kept the score at 2-0 after Evans broke through in the dying moments, looking to slot home his one-on-one chance, but the keeper got enough on the ball to stop it finding the back of the net.
After 6 added minutes, the referee mercifully blew for full time, bringing an end to both the game and HRBFC’s FA Cup campaign.