Hampton and Richmond Borough FC

DORCHESTER MATCH REPORT

Mark Harpers Beavers travelled to managerless Dorchester hoping to continue the form shown in the excellent victory over Eastbourne Borough last Saturday.

Mark was forced to make two changes with Dean Inman currently sidelined through injury, he was replaced Billy Jeffreys. Nathan Collier was serving a one match suspension, replaced by Josh Huggins. A further change saw Karle Andrews replace Tom Hickey in midfield.

A pre match interview with Dorchester mascot Dinky the bear predicted 4-1 to Dorchester as the players came onto the pitch, heralded by the Nellie the elephant tune. A poignant 1 minute silence is impeccably observed.

As early as the first minute Hampton concede a corner after Morgan tackles Martin, from the corner Dorchester are penalised and Ross clears. On 4 minutes Tarpey is given offside after a neat lob over the defense by Ledgister.

Dorchester were awarded a free kick in the 6th min following afoul by Huggins. The kick is dead centre of Hamptons goal about 30 yards out, Dickenson the son of former Hampton captain Malcolm, harmlessly shots at goal and the ball is easily taken by Ross above his head.

9 minutes and back up the Dorchester end, O’Donnell has a long range speculative shot on goal which is high and wide. For the next 10 minutes Dorchester apply all the pressure without really troubling the Hampton goal.

On 19 minutes Hampton attack, but again Tarpey is given offside after a nice bit of one touch passing between Morgan and Ledgister.  In the 26th minute O’Donnell delivers a corner which is cleared but leaves Moss injured in the penalty area, this eventually leads to him being substituted in the 32ndminute replaced by Wilson.

On 34th minute Tarpey shoots well over and then 3 minutes later the best chance of the match presents itself, a cross from Crittenden is headed wide by Dickenson. This is trumped in the 40th minute with Dave Tarpey through on goal with only the keeper to beat, who saves well.

In injury time a skirmish in the Hampton area ended with Wilson who cannot get a shot in.

An early attempt on Dorchester goal by Ledgister was saved to his right by keeper Walker-Harris. On 47th minutes, a Dorchester attack leads Wilson to head over the cross from Martin. Just after that, Dickenson shoots just wide, and Crittenden has two attempts on goal from close range before the ball is finally gathered by Ross. These were the first real saves Craig has had to make.

All the pressure is now coming from Dorchester and this continues with a shot from Gleeson wide in the 57th minute. Huggins then proceeds to foul Martin on the edge of the penalty area, Martins took the free kick but Ross saved again. But the danger is not cleared and Crittenden fires inches over; it was getting a bit like the Alamo.

On 67 minutes there was a rare Hampton effort, a volleyed shot from Simmonds was easily saved by Walker-Harris. 3 minutes later, Matt Ruby was booked, and rather unjustly in my opinion.

With about 10 minutes to go, Hampton made a double substitution, Thompson for Morgan, Johnson for Andrews.  Just a minute later, Hampton were awarded a free kick 30 yards out, Tarpey and O’Donnell hovering over the ball. Tarps hit a thunderous shot which Walker-Harris saves.

On 85 minutes,  Ledgister shoots straight at Walker-Harris, then Tarpey proceeds to stretch the goalkeeper who takes the ball from under the bar, my fellow reporter shrieks has that crossed the line, obviously the assistant does not think so.

As full time approaches and the referee signals 3 added on minutes, Moone replaces Ledgister.

In the 92nd minute, Simmonds was booked for a foul on Nicholls, the free kick was lifted into the Hampton area, Ross comes out to punch away, he clatters into two of his own men, the ball hits Kyle Critchall and rebounds into the net. Hampton players and fans were left gutted.

Again, this Hampton side, at the end deserved a draw, but luck at the moment is not with us. We are not a bottom three side. Keep the faith.