By Neil Stacey

Hampton and Richmond continued where they left off on Tuesday with an easy 3-0 home win against Weymouth at The Beveree this Saturday. The hapless visitors from Dorset – bottom of the league – where no match for a confident Hampton side who secured victory through goals from Ashley Smith and the two Craig’s – Tanner and Dundas.

 

Despite, or maybe, because of Hampton’s midweek FA Cup exploits, Dev shuffled his pack with three changes from the team who saw off Braintree with Ashley Smith and Stuart Lake recalled to midfield and Ian Hodges leading the line.

 

In blustery autumnal conditions Hampton started the game very much on the front foot as they launched an aerial bombardment on the visitor’s goal with an early succession of long throws and corners. One throw resulted in a handling error by Ryan Harrison in the Weymouth goal, giving Stuart Lake the first effort on goal that he wastefully blasted over.

 

Despite the one-way traffic on the Weymouth goal a slip in the 22^nd minute by Jon McDonald presented Weymouth ’s centre-forward the best chance of the game with a clear one-on-one. Thankfully Matt Lovett was alert to the danger, narrowing the angle to deflect Jake Reid shot wide and keep the scores level.

 

Unperturbed Hampton continued to lay siege to the Weymouth goal with a dipping volley from Dundas beating both keeper and far post as the Beavers looked to take a deserved lead. It was only a matter of time though, and four minutes before the interval Ashley Smith broke the deadlock with his first goal for the club. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, he shifted the ball onto his right foot before a crisp shot beat the keeper all ends up.

 

Into the second half with the Hampton midfield dominating proceedings the game settled into the same pattern as the first. Chances came and went as Marcello Fernandes saw a trademark free-kick palmed wide, Hodgey saw a header cleared off the line (possibly with the use of an arm) and Craig Dundas saw a shot saved after a swift interchange through midfield.

 

Apart from his earlier save Matty Lovett was having a quiet afternoon in the home goal, although he was called into action to deal with some routine long-range Weymouth shots en-route to what would be his first league clean sheet of the season.

 

Any thoughts the visitors had of nicking a point where extinguished in the 70^th minute when fittingly the excellent Craig Tanner scored his first of the season to extend the Beavers lead. It was Craig’s clever ball through that created the initial chance for Dundas , and when his shot was parried Tanner was following up like a seasoned striker to tap into the unguarded goal.

 

The only question now was how many Hampton would score as they looked to force the floodgates open. One exquisite Cruyff turn in the box by Ashley Smith saw him inches from lobbing the keeper, while Dundas fired against a post as Weymouth were completely over ran.

 

The home crowd were soon celebrating again as in the 80^th minute Hampton struck for the final time through leading scorer Craig Dundas. Again trickery by Smith created space for the cross, and when Tanner’s header was palmed out by the keeper, Dundas was on hand to fire high into the open goal.

 

So finally Hampton win at home in the league this season, as they climb to an unlucky-for-some 13^th place in the league with 15 points. Next up for the Beavers is Averley at home as the magic of the FA Cup comes to the Beveree next weekend.