BEAVERS STOP DARTS FLIGHT

38 years ago, almost to the day Dartford, then of the Southern League, came to Hampton (Spartan League) for a F A Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie and departed with a 1-0 victory (scored in the 38th minute). Spookily Hampton reversed the situation and won 1-0 AT Dartford with a goal in the 41st minute!

Hampton had to play the last hour a man short as skipper Dean Wells was sent off having been adjudged the last man in bringing down Dartford`s Rob Haworth, but Beavers responded well to the challenge and a combination of grit and determination got them through after Barrie Matthews had given them a half time lead.

Dartford, of the Ryman Premier, backed by a 1,000 plus crowd got off to a lively start and their two wide players Steve Butterworth and Lee Noble showed plenty of pace and created early problems for the Hampton defence. Fortunately most of the crosses played in were taken, or dealt with, by Matt Lovett, twice in a matter of seconds Lovett saved at his near post and the Hampton keeper couldn`t claim the ball then his defence were there to tidy things up. In the 28th minute Wells was sent off for a challenge on Haworth, which Referee Rowley, after a discussion with his Assistant, deemed as denying a goal scoring opportunity. Two minutes later Dartford had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. Just before half time Hampton took the lead. Ben Wright sent over a cross from the left side, Dart`s keeper Andrew Young and Ian Hodges both went for it, the ball seemed to fly off one or the other and Matthews, running in at full tilt, bravely threw himself forward to head the ball into the net. Matthews then ran around the goal to celebrate with the Hampton fans and was promptly booked for over-celebrating (so much for Mr Rowley stating before the game that it was his intention to allow the players to `enjoy the day`). A goal just before half time was just the tonic that Hampton needed, something to defend for what was likely to be a long second half in the unaccustomed heat of a September afternoon.

Early in the second half Lovett dived to his left to turn a shot away for a corner. Hampton conceded territory to Dartford and got behind the ball whenever the home side had possession. Dartford instead of attacking down the flanks, which had worked well enough in the second half, adopted a more frontal assault which played into the hands of the Hampton defence. Occasionally Hampton were able to break out and almost snatch a second. On the hour mark a Dartford free kick was intercepted, the Dartford defence only had one man back, Wright almost took full advantage but Young saved with his legs and the chance was gone. Yaku replaced Wright shortly afterwards and played the role of the lone striker as Hodges dropped back to support the midfield. In the 72nd minute Yaku was brought down in a similar position to the Wells incident, but although a free kick was given there was no sign of a card of any colour. John Scarborough and Orlando Jeffrey both made vital clearances. Dartford`s Butterworth and Haworth wasted a good opportunity when both elected to pass the ball around instead of taking the shot.

Hampton plugged away and held on to the win securing passage through to the next round and collecting £4,500 in sponsorship monies.