Hampton made the short trip to Kingsmeadow to take on last years Ryman Division 1 South Champions Kingstonian, and secured their first win of pre-season courtesy of goals from Francis Quarm and Dave Tarpey.

The side had a familiar look to it, with only Jamie Collins and Ashley Smith making their debuts, Collins slotted in to the midfield next to Francis Quarm and displayed some excellent touches and quietly and effectively got on with the game, and the lively Smith was deployed behind the front two of Yaku and Knight. John Scarborough returned following his injury sustained against K’s landlords AFC Wimbledon, to give the back five a familiar look.

The game itself was a very competitive affair played in a good spirit with both sides creating chances. Hampton took an early lead when, after a foul on Lawrence Yaku, Francis Quarm clipped the free kick over the wall and in to the corner of the net. K’s had their chances and on more than one occasion Matt Lovett was called upon to make a save.

The second half saw the usual host of changes, Chico Ramos came on for Lovett at half time, and Knight and Yaku were replaced by Dave Tarpey and Leon Yarnie, both playing their second game in two days, Jon McDonald, fresh from his trial at Barnet also got a run out and Elliot Brathwaite and Steve Tyson also got a second run out of pre-season.

Kingstonian equalized through Bobby Traynor on 71 minutes as he got on the end of a trademark Ryan Lake cross, but Hampton secured the victory through Dave Tarpey, as his shot from six yards out squeezed past a combination of Josh Willis and Ryan Lake to sneak over the line, following some excellent play from Leon Yarnie and the burley front man out muscled Francis Duku on the goal line and slipped the ball in to Tarpey for his second goal of pre-season. There was still time for Ramos to pull off a stunning save from Carl Wilson-Dennis to keep the Beavers ahead and secure a hard fought victory.