SIX GOALS, TWO RED CARDS AND A THRILLER FOR THE BEAVERS

Hampton & Richmond Borough were held to a 3-3 draw in their FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie against Step 4 side Crowborough Athletic at Beveree Stadium in one of the most entertaining games of football this season.

Positive results in the previous week set a positive mood at Beveree Stadium for the Beavers going into Saturday’s game, a 2-0 triumph against Farnborough and a 1-1 draw against and undefeated Chelmsford side, in which Jasper Mather scored in both.

As well as this, Crowborough were going into this game 19th in the Isthmian South East, losing 3 in a row, and there only win in their last 5 coming in the previous FA Cup Round against AFC Whyteleafe.

Hampton & Richmond Borough started the game in fine fashion, with Jasper Mather scoring the first goal inside 3 minutes, extending his brilliant goalscoring form by making it 3 goals in his last three games.

Despite this excellent start, the East Sussex side were holding their own against the National League South side, being defensively compact and solid, whilst also creating lots of attacking opportunities, such as Crowborough no.9 Samuel-Smike’s chance where a poor choice of shot after being through on goal left little for Underwood to worry about in goal.

However, this half was not completely dominated by the away side, as Hampton & Richmond Borough were also looking threatening in attack, creating an even-sided contest throughout the first 45.

The second half arrived, turn out to be one of the most entertaining 45 minutes of the season.

The constant end to end sequences continued from the first half, with both teams having ample opportunity to add a second goal to the tie and eventually, in the 63rd minute, Crowborough’s Elliot Duncan grabbed the equaliser after a throw in which led to a defensive flick-on finding the feet of the number 11 who was able to slot it in the net.

The momentum for the away side continued from this moment onward, as in the 71st minute, a throw-in from the Crows’ no.3 Mvongo was deflected and return to  his feet and he was able to put a ball into the box, which George Hutcheon was able to head in over the top of Underwood and into the back of the net, making it 2-1 to the away side.

The 81st minute came by, which saw Crowborough no.10 Harry Forster put in a mistimed tackle through the back of HRBFC’s Hayden Barrett. Before his fate was decided however, Ben Jackson was awarded a second yellow card for an overzealous attempt to defend his teammate, pushing Forster to the ground, which saw him sent off the pitch.

Forster was then awarded a red card for his challenge, meaning both teams were down to 10 men with less than 10 mins of the game to go.

Soon after, a great opportunity for a Beavers equaliser arose as Jasper Mather was brought down in the opponent’s box and a penalty was awarded to the Beavers. Reece Grego-Cox set up to take it in front of the Beavers crowd, but unfortunately the effort was saved by Martin Grant to keep it 1-2.

Just a matter of minutes later, a Hampton & Richmond Borough counter-attack saw Ashley Akpan put in a devastating ball into the box, which found Mather once more who could slot it into the back of the net to make it 2-2 with little of the 90 to go, making the last few minutes some of the most chaotic and exciting in recent memory.

But before the 6 minutes of added time had kicked in, Underwood was caught way off his line whilst getting involved in the build up, and Elliot Duncan was able to slot it in from approximately 35 yards out in the 89th minute to make it 2-3 to the away side.

However, it did not stop there. An constant swarm of HRBFC crosses into the box eventually succeeded as substitute Reece Grego-Cox managed to grab another equaliser in the 94th minute of the game, grabbing his first of the season in this goal-fest of an FA Cup tie.

A entertaining game for neutrals and away supporters, but the home side feel as if they should’ve cemented a win in this game. Nonetheless, an end to end contest throughout.

The Beavers will now travel to East Sussex on Tuesday night for an exciting and optimistic FA Cup replay.