By Neil Stacey

This game had it all – four goals, two red cards, a penalty, an own goal, an on-field melee, a commanding captains performance from Dean Wells, and an inept referring performance. Sadly though for Hampton the points, like the goals and the red cards, were shared equally as a late equaliser saw Saturday’s game against Worcester City end 2-2.

Hampton had taken the lead in both halves courtesy of an o.g in the first and Michael Lee-Charles in the 2nd, but sloppy defending provided the visitors with a way back into the game as the Beavers failed to win at home again and dropped another two points.

Manager Alan Devonshire unsurprisingly made a raft of changes with the game only 72 hours after Hampton’s battling FA Cup victory at Averley with Elliott Brathwaite, Nathan Collier, Dave Tarpey, Ashley Smith and Lee-Charles all coming into the starting XI to freshen things up.

Any thoughts that five chances would unsettle the Beavers proved unfounded as Hampton took the lead with their very first attack as early as the 3rd minute. Quick thinking by Jamie Collins saw him release Smith inside the covering fullback and the hapless Wayne Daniel turned his cross into the net to give the Beavers the perfect start.

The attack trio of Tarpey, Lee-Charles and Smith were all catching the eye and troubling the Worcester defence with their pace, interchange and movement. Tarps particularly was desperately unlucky not to extend the lead in the 9th minute when the sprawling Ben Hinchliffe in the away goal pawed his 25-yard curling free kick wide.

Worcester while looking to play attractive football were also giving their best ‘Jon McDonald impression’ and causing numerous problems from long throws. In a matter of minutes, captain Dean Wells put his body on the line with two blocks from thunderous goal-bound shots.

As close as Tarpey free kick was, Worcester Rob Davies came even closer with one of his own as the first half ebbed and flowed. With the Beavers defence expecting a cross, Davies curled the ball around the wall and onto the post as the two teams reached the break with Hampton holding a narrow lead.

This advantage though proved to be short lived as two minutes into the 2nd half Worcester hit the equaliser from the penalty spot, and Orland Jeffrey received his marching orders for a professional foul. O.J was harshly deemed to have hauled Marco Adaggio down in the area after the striker got the wrong side of the big defender. As Orlando made the lonely walk the length of the field to the dressing rooms, Adaggio brushed himself down and lashed the spot kick straight down the middle of the goal.

Despite a man disadvantage, Hampton should have really re-taken the lead immediately from the re-start when Lee-Charles controlled a Deano through ball before wastefully firing over from inside the area when faced with the keeper. He didn’t let his chin drop though, and was rewarded with his first goal for the club as the ten men took the lead in the 65th minute. Dave Tarpey the provider with a perfectly delivered free kick to the far post that was met by a sliding Lee-Charles to volley home.

Six minute later the game erupted as a reckless late tackle from Worcester’s  Rob Elvins floored Dean Wells, earning Elvins a straight red and provoking a mass brawl between both sets of players as play was held up by a good five minutes. After all the pushing and shoving had been dealt with and both benches being spoken to, referee Coggins bizarrely booked Wells for his ‘role’ in the incident.

More handbags were evident as a flare-up between Tarpey and a Worcester defender earned them both a yellow card, as the referee struggled to keep a lid on what was turning into a niggly encounter. Having seen the numerical advantage now evened out, Hampton sat back and seemed quite happy to get men behind the ball and defend their narrow lead.

Sadly for Hampton this proved to be fatal as a schoolboy error from Jon McDonald gifted Worcester a late equaliser. As a hopeful ball was pumped into the area, Jon hesitated and let the ball bounce allowing Louis Bridges to nip in and beat Matt Lovett to the ball to turn the ball home.

Despite numerous stoppages Mr Coggins inexplicably blew for time shortly afterwards, at least five minutes early, thus ending any lingering hope that Hampton would have had of grabbing a late winner.

While undoubtedly disappointed with the manner of the result, Dev wouldn’t have been too dishearten with the performance of his boys, especially in the light of the numerous changes made. The game also extends the Beavers current unbeaten run to seven games.

Next up for Hampton is the big FA Cup final qualifier against Sutton United at the Beveree next weekend. With the big boys waiting in the following round all Beavers followers will be hopful of progressing against lower league opponents.