Those Were The Days; 18th January 2003

[Les1949]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS
18th January 2003

Isthmian (Ryman) League; Premier Division

HRBFC 1 (O’Connor, 55’) Heybridge Swifts 1 (Abrahams 2’) Att; 145

HRBFC;-
Andy Iga; David Cross (Richard Thompson, 80), Sam Okafor, Gary McCracken (Paul Read, 40’), Alan Inns, Chris Rose, Lee Riddell (Darren Deegan, 75’), Richard O’Connor, Wayne Cort, Dudley Gardner, Jesse Hall.
Unused Sub; Luke Milner

Bottom of the table Beavers took on a struggling Heybridge Swifts and were hit by a goal from the visitors timed at 90 seconds. Poor defending allowed Paul Abrahams, back to goal to turn and fire past Iga. Hampton had not won a league match since 31st August so it was on the cards that another defeat was in the offing. Heybridge were so in the ascendancy that they must score again. Abrahams, Akpo Sodje and Abrahams, again could all have easily scored before Hampton got out of first gear. At last O’Connor put a shaky Heybridge defence under pressure, Hall had a shot blocked away by Darren Placid, Riddell had a shot cleared off the line, then O’Connor put Placid under pressure with a 35 yarder. Either side of half-time, stretchers had to be brought out for McCracken and then Heybridge’s Alan Gillespie. Abrahams, a continual threat, looped a shot over but then Hampton struck the equaliser. Hall, who along with O’Connor, was having a good game, found Gardner, his quick pass opened up space for O’Connor, who, twisting away from his marker, struck a 20 yarder past Placid. On the hour Heybridge had a goal disallowed for offside. Heybridge continued to press for a winner, but Iga made a great save from James Windows to hang on to the point. Hampton would win just two of the remaining 19 games and were relegated well before the end of the season.


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