Full-time: Hampton & Richmond 3-2 Chelmsford City
Hampton & Richmond claimed a narrow 3-2 victory over Chelmsford City in an eventful encounter at the Beveree Stadium. First half goals from Alfie Williams, Mauro Vilhete and Jake Gray proved to be enough to hold off City’s spirited attempt at producing a comeback, after Osman Foyo netted a brace to get his side back in the game.
The hosts found the back of the net three times in the space of 18 minutes during the first half, but Foyo’s 41st minute strike reduced the deficit going into half-time. The Clarets were unfortunate to not go into the break with another goal under their belt – Cameron James’ header was ruled out after referee Matthew Jackson judged that Hampton keeper Ted Curd was impeded in the build-up to the goal.
City pulled a second goal back moments into the second half when Foyo scored again after a long ball forward from the kick-off dropped his way in the Beavers’ penalty box. Robbie Simpson’s men were unable to capitalise on numerous opportunities to score again, as the likes of Charlie Ruff and Jordan Greenidge all came close to netting an equaliser.
Simpson made four changes from his side’s last outing 12 days ago against Boreham Wood. Paul Appiah replaced Sam Gale at centre back, who was recalled from his loan spell at the EMJ Community Stadium by parent club Gillingham earlier this week. Sam Oguntayo was also re-introduced into the backline and took Bradley Williams’ spot. Arthur Penney returned from injury and featured for the first time since last month’s draw with Torquay United – he took Alfie Bendle’s place in centre midfield. Jake Hyde was preferred up front to Freddie Hockey and Greenidge.
The match began with an opportunity for City just nine minutes in. Hyde cleverly cut inside to set up Kane Crichlow inside the Hampton penalty box, but the Bermudian international’s powerful shot from close range was bravely blocked by Jack Taylor.
However, it was Alan Julian’s men who took control of the game when they broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. A low cross from the left delivered by Gray found Williams, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area to put the hosts into a 1-0 lead.
Hampton doubled their advantage just six minutes later. A defensive lapse from City allowed Vilhete to pick up a loose ball on the edge of the box, who showed composure to bend a fine shot into the top corner, doubling the Beavers’ advantage in the 18th minute.
The home side scored their third goal of the afternoon in the 29th minute. Gray was left in acres of space in the middle of the park, and was played through on goal by Vilhete. Gray coolly slid the ball past City goalkeeper Woody Williamson and put his side three goals ahead.
Late in the first half, the Clarets started to respond positively to going three goals behind. With four minutes to go until half-time, Ruff flicked the ball into the path of Foyo, who volleyed a strike into the bottom corner to pull a goal back for City and make it 3-1.
As the first half drew to a close, Simpson’s side thought they had pulled another one back in added time when Cameron James headed a high cross into the net. However, the referee ruled out the goal for a foul in the build-up, much to the frustration of the visitors.
City started the second half with renewed attacking intent, and just moments after the restart, reduced the deficit further. A long ball forward from kick-off dropped Foyo’s way, who took full advantage of the opportunity, finishing from close range to make it 3-2 in the 46th minute.
Hampton continued to withstand pressure from City after having their lead narrowed. In the 51st minute, a crucial last-ditch challenge by substitute George Hunt denied Hyde a certain shot on target from six yards out.
The hosts did well to stifle City’s attacking momentum and in the 58th minute, nearly scored their fourth goal of the game. James Roberts capitalised on a giveaway from Cameron James and broke forward, unleashing a low shot that hit the post. The rebound fell kindly to Joshua Keeya, but Penney made an important block to prevent the follow-up from hitting the target.
City still pushed for an equaliser, and in the 69th minute, Foyo linked up with Greenidge, whose shot was tipped around the post by Curd. From the resulting corner, Ruff’s header on target was cleared off the line by Vilhete, as Hampton hung on to their narrow lead.
The visitors’ frustration towards referee Jackson increased further in the 83rd minute when Jacob Bland went down under pressure from a Hampton defender inside the penalty area. However, Jackson was unmoved by the Clarets’ calls for their first spot kick of the season.
Proceedings came to a dramatic close when an added time Chelmsford City corner dropped to Greenidge in the box. Goalkeeper Curd had again missed the ball from the corner and gone down under pressure which left the goal gaping, but Greenidge was unable to keep his shot down and it went over the crossbar in what was one of the final kicks of the game.
City will have a chance to get back to winning ways when they face Waltham Abbey in the BBC Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday night.
Hampton & Richmond XI: Curd (GK); Campbell, Atkinson, Keeya, Roberts, Gray (Hunt 46′), Jack Taylor, Archie Taylor, Vilhete (Wiltshire 90+5′), Revan (C), Williams (Wall 70′)
Unused substitutes: Jalloh, Sorondo.
Yellow cards: none.
Chelmsford City XI: Williamson (GK), Barnum-Bobb, Appiah, James (C) (Bendle 90+2′), Oguntayo (Hockey 35′, Greenidge 39′), Penney, Bland (Tamplin 86′), Foyo, Ruff, Crichlow, Hyde (Williams 76′)
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Ruff, James, Appiah, Barnum-Bobb
Attendance: 693
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