The Silkmen return to Isuzu FA Trophy action this Saturday in the Last 16 as we travel to Hampton and Richmond Borough.
Alex Bruce’s side defeated National League side Dorking Wanderers in the previous with a convincing 5-0 victory at the Leasing.com Stadium.
The Beavers of Hampton also knocked out National League opponents in the last round beating Hartlepool United on penalties.
We take a closer look at our National League South opponents.
HISTORY
Hampton’s early years were spent in the Kingston & District and the South West Middlesex Leagues. Although twice winning the Kingston & District title in the early 1930s the club never managed to capture the South West Middlesex League title during their 26-year stay.
In 1959, Hampton entered the senior football ranks as members of the Surrey Senior League, despite being based in Middlesex. In 1964 they won the championship and stepped up into the Spartan League where they enjoyed seven seasons of unparalleled success. The club captured the Spartan League title four times in 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1970 as well as finishing runners-up in 1968. They never finished outside the top four places during their stay.
In the summer of 2003, the club invited experienced manager Alan Devonshire, who had just left Maidenhead United, to the Beveree. Alan signed as manager and had the task of winning promotion back to the Premier Division, this was achieved on the last day of his first season in charge with a 3–0 win at Leatherhead.
Hampton & Richmond subsequently spent three seasons in the Premier Division, each time coming close to promotion to the Conference South after finishing as runners up in the play-off competition in 2005–06, and narrowly missing out on a play-off place in 2004–05.
On 28 April 2007, Hampton & Richmond Borough were promoted as champions of the league to the Conference South after a 4–2 victory over Slough Town. The crowd of nearly 1,100 witnessed an epic match in which Hampton led 2–1 until a late Slough goal looked to have given the championship to promotion rivals, Bromley. This would have forced Hampton into 2nd place, meaning that they would have had to compete in the playoff competition for promotion. However, 90 seconds later Hampton retook the lead through a goal from Stuart Lake and shortly afterwards a penalty was awarded and scored by Elliott Godfrey, resulting in a 4–2 victory, and automatic promotion for the Beavers.
The club is now stable in the National League South following promotion from the Isthmian League in 2016 and have strong aspirations of reaching the National League.
CURRENT FORM
The Beavers have been in mixed form over the last few weeks. Last time out, Hampton drew with play off rivals St Albans City at the Beveree Stadium. Beforehand, Hampton got the better of 10 man Truro City at home before back to back defeats against Welling United and fellow promotion rival Chelmsford City.
The start of their last five fixtures was an impressive victory in the previous round of the FA Trophy against Hartlepool United. Hampton frustrated Pool in normal time taking the game to penalties where The Beavers won 4-2 on spot kicks.
ONE TO WATCH
BEN SEYMOUR
Forward Ben Seymour is one to watch for The Beavers. Having come through the academy system at Exeter City, Seymour poses a threat in forward areas for Hampton.
Seymour has had a number of loans with sides across the South East and has scored 12 goals in the National League South this season.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
This will be the first competitive fixture between the two sides.
