Could not make it today! Anyone see who was on the bench giving orders etc.
Was Ince on the bench as management?
Totton at home
It looked like Field was the main man in the dugout to me.Josh2002 wrote: Tue Dec 02, 2025 9:48 pm FT, 2-0, what a performance! For all their possession, Totton rarely threatened, apart from when Rowley pulled off a brilliant save right before our second. As for the dugout, Atkinson was in there with Ince and Field I believe.
What a relief. Up the Beavers!
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Lord Elpus
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A huge well done to all, after what was a very solid display against Totton, who are clearly no slouches but (as Josh says) didn't really convert their possession into clear cut opportunities. Massey can't have had much time to address his squad but his experience under Dev at Maidenhead was evident in our set up as we had a real spine tonight, (which Dev's teams were always renowned for) which has been sorely lacking recently. Two nicely taken goals for us, and a couple of outstanding saves, gave us a well-earned and hard-fought win. So nice to have a bit of feelgood factor as well.
Hard fought throughout but thankfully held on for three points. Our goals scored at strategic times, just before half time and with 7 minutes to go, both excellent finishes from Grego-Cox and Gardner. We were rather overrun in midfield in the second half and Totton should perhaps have got level but for some good last ditch defending and saves from Rowley. Can’t say we’ve turned a corner yet but something to build on. We really can’t continue with two in midfield and five at the back. I would go 4-4–1-1 or 4-5-1.
Chairman confirmed that the whole back room staff have left so we are now effectively a Jeremy Corbyn style workers collective.
Chairman confirmed that the whole back room staff have left so we are now effectively a Jeremy Corbyn style workers collective.
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HamptonLifer5
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 11:30 pm
And breathe. Tonight was a superb performance across the squad, who had been thrown a curveball over the previous days. Massey the face, but 16 footballers gave their absolute all, and were organised, disciplined and kept things simple. Tonight wasn't a night for passing, patterns of play, etc. It was a hardworking profession performance, for which we have to give Massey some credit. As for the bench, there was barely any movement and I don't thing any of our players (tonight's coaches) said much whatsoever. Massey seemed to have the most to say at brief injury stoppages. Both of our goals were great strikes, Grego-Cox and Gardner with great finishes. We weren't perfect tonight but the basics were done correctly. Totton didn't create much at all, but their best chance was superbly saved by Rowley, and then 30 seconds later Gardner scored. Huge win!
Player Ratings:
Rowley 8/10 - Clean Sheet, Crucial save.
Sayers 9/10 - MOTM - Was exceptional in everything he did. Looked superb alongside the gaffer.
Massey 6/10 - Actually had one of his poorer games, but still kicked booted and headed everything. A true professional, but maybe don't give 2 good chances away next time Mass!
Wilkie 7/10 - By far his best game in a Hampton shirt. Looked assured, will be interesting to see him and Thomas in competition for places.
Mason 7/10 - First start for ages and looked great. Lots of touches I the first half and was well organised.
Paul-Lavaly 7/10 - Every time the boy touches the ball I believe something will happen. Subbed after 75, hopefully should have 90 on Saturday!
Gardner 8/10 - Best game in a long while, I've been critical of late, but carried the ball superbly, far better decision making and a brilliant finish.
Deadfield 8/10 - Lead the team excellently. Helped Massey with the on-pitch organisation and was tidy on the ball.
Fasanmade 6/10 - Had bursts of brilliance but seems low on confidence. A step in the right direction tonight.
Rodari 6/10 - Won plenty of duels, didn't look as dangerous, but we didn't create masses of chances. Would start him in a front 3 again.
Grego-Cox 8/10 - Has to start when fit. The goal was a superb piece of skill. He had another chance in the second half but didn't connect. We look so much better with him in the side, need the injury police to not be overprotective.
Subs:
Dixon 7/10 - Excellent off of the bench, won lots of duels. Dangerous in the air and winning lost causes, would like him around the group for longer.
Parkinson 7/10 - Excellent when he came on. We forget he's so young but made brilliant decisions on the pitch.
Innocent 6/10 - Great energy, didn't have a bad spell on pitch but looked organised and informed.
Kader 6/10 - Didn't do masses but was tidy in what he did do. Would keep him on as an energetic sub.
Richards - Not long enough to rate. Yet to be convinced but haven't seen him over long e ough patches. Chelmsford seemed alright, Eastbourne seemed woeful.
Final Verdict: A win which very little forsaw. An entire coaching staff (bar physios) made up of the playing squad. We didn't complicate matters, the player played with much more heart and fight tonight in front of a small, but relieved Beveree crowd. Lots of manager talk around but the players flipped a switch this evening, so full credit to the experienced members of the squad for getting it so right tonight. I'd expect them uncharged on Saturday but by Maidenhead I hope we have a permanent leader.
Must add on, with limited communication it is very true that Donovan and Luke won't be returning, along with Ryan, Dave or Ruben. What an effort they have put in and thank you for the services to HRBFC, they won't be out of the game for long. All the best to them.
Congratulations to Sam Deadfield for his 175th Appearance for us tonight, and his first league win when he's started. Great night, to have Country Roads on to sing along with was great. Superb night.
Player Ratings:
Rowley 8/10 - Clean Sheet, Crucial save.
Sayers 9/10 - MOTM - Was exceptional in everything he did. Looked superb alongside the gaffer.
Massey 6/10 - Actually had one of his poorer games, but still kicked booted and headed everything. A true professional, but maybe don't give 2 good chances away next time Mass!
Wilkie 7/10 - By far his best game in a Hampton shirt. Looked assured, will be interesting to see him and Thomas in competition for places.
Mason 7/10 - First start for ages and looked great. Lots of touches I the first half and was well organised.
Paul-Lavaly 7/10 - Every time the boy touches the ball I believe something will happen. Subbed after 75, hopefully should have 90 on Saturday!
Gardner 8/10 - Best game in a long while, I've been critical of late, but carried the ball superbly, far better decision making and a brilliant finish.
Deadfield 8/10 - Lead the team excellently. Helped Massey with the on-pitch organisation and was tidy on the ball.
Fasanmade 6/10 - Had bursts of brilliance but seems low on confidence. A step in the right direction tonight.
Rodari 6/10 - Won plenty of duels, didn't look as dangerous, but we didn't create masses of chances. Would start him in a front 3 again.
Grego-Cox 8/10 - Has to start when fit. The goal was a superb piece of skill. He had another chance in the second half but didn't connect. We look so much better with him in the side, need the injury police to not be overprotective.
Subs:
Dixon 7/10 - Excellent off of the bench, won lots of duels. Dangerous in the air and winning lost causes, would like him around the group for longer.
Parkinson 7/10 - Excellent when he came on. We forget he's so young but made brilliant decisions on the pitch.
Innocent 6/10 - Great energy, didn't have a bad spell on pitch but looked organised and informed.
Kader 6/10 - Didn't do masses but was tidy in what he did do. Would keep him on as an energetic sub.
Richards - Not long enough to rate. Yet to be convinced but haven't seen him over long e ough patches. Chelmsford seemed alright, Eastbourne seemed woeful.
Final Verdict: A win which very little forsaw. An entire coaching staff (bar physios) made up of the playing squad. We didn't complicate matters, the player played with much more heart and fight tonight in front of a small, but relieved Beveree crowd. Lots of manager talk around but the players flipped a switch this evening, so full credit to the experienced members of the squad for getting it so right tonight. I'd expect them uncharged on Saturday but by Maidenhead I hope we have a permanent leader.
Must add on, with limited communication it is very true that Donovan and Luke won't be returning, along with Ryan, Dave or Ruben. What an effort they have put in and thank you for the services to HRBFC, they won't be out of the game for long. All the best to them.
Congratulations to Sam Deadfield for his 175th Appearance for us tonight, and his first league win when he's started. Great night, to have Country Roads on to sing along with was great. Superb night.
Well, that was much more fun. Who needs a manager at all? Long live the players’ collective 
.
I’m like Tony, not a fan of the back five. Unless you play with a very high defensive line, it gives the opposition way too much space.
But that didn’t seem to matter last night. As a 19th century flower seller might have said after getting a big tip for services rendered, “You’re all heart, guvnor.”
Wasn’t pretty but will most definitely do. So much effort went in by everyone. And when you’re down in the dumps effort goes a long way. Cracking stuff.
. I’m like Tony, not a fan of the back five. Unless you play with a very high defensive line, it gives the opposition way too much space.
But that didn’t seem to matter last night. As a 19th century flower seller might have said after getting a big tip for services rendered, “You’re all heart, guvnor.”
Wasn’t pretty but will most definitely do. So much effort went in by everyone. And when you’re down in the dumps effort goes a long way. Cracking stuff.
Very difficult to make clear decisions about which soups to serve under a workers collective. We will end up with thin gruel. Plus, there'll have to be a rota for the club car.Tony wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 7:54 am “We take it in turns to operate as a sort of executive officer for the week….but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting….”
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Lord Elpus
- Posts: 1028
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm
That's exactly what I took from the game. If that's what you get from keeping things simple then let's stick to it, because every player seemed more relaxed and liberated, and as a result were able to remain disciplined. For me, this is a potential way forward...yes, formations etc can be tinkered with, but we can still just focus on getting the basics right.HamptonLifer5 wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 12:48 am
Massey the face, but 16 footballers gave their absolute all, and were organised, disciplined and kept things simple. Tonight wasn't a night for passing, patterns of play, etc. It was a hardworking profession performance, for which we have to give Massey some credit.
If this is life without overcomplicated and overelaborate coaching then fine. Long live The Player's Collective! Or should it be the Players Collective? Or even the Collective Of Players??
Of course, the main thing about a players' collective is getting used to calling each other "Brother" - Brother Alan, Brother Paul, Brother Charlie, and so on.
Although I do hear that the young folk are in the habit of calling each other "bro", so it might not be too much of a stretch.
Although I do hear that the young folk are in the habit of calling each other "bro", so it might not be too much of a stretch.