Dundas a new Beavers hero after sensational winner (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Dundas a new Beavers hero after sensational winner

9:38am Monday 17th August 2009 in Sport

Bromley 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2

Hampton started the day with nothing on the board; they ended it with three points on the board and a new Beavers hero, writes David Rees.

Kevin Davies continued to step in for Matt Lovett, serving his third of four matches suspended, the Beavers were lacking across the pitch, with Graham Harper, John Scarborough, Ashley Smith and Jamie Collins all unfit for selection.

Some good news for the Beavers as Ian Hodges was on the bench after sitting out the first week of the season.

Hampton started quite brightly with some early chances falling to Lawrence Yaku and new frontman Craig Dundas but they couldn’t quite find enough to get past Gareth Williams in the Bromley goal.

Elliott Braithwaite appeared to be the target of the Bromley midfield throughout the first half, Braithwaite found himself in the referee’s books after six minutes.

No one had any real effort until the 19th minute, when it was the home side who broke the deadlock, the Beavers lost the ball in midfield and, four touches later, the ball was in the Hampton net.

The defence could do nothing to stop the Bromley attack as the ball was played into the box and Donal O’Sullivan leapt to head home.

The Beavers worked hard, Lawrence Yaku and Brathwaite continued to apply pressure to the Bromley defence but the ball made it very few times into the Bromley box.

That was until the 27th minute, when Hampton skipper Dean Wells's long clearance fell to Lawrence Yaku.

The striker stepped around the defence and lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the back the of the net.

The Bromley midfield continued to target Brathwaite and, on 41 minutes, Devonshire took the decision to replace Brathwaite with Jon McDonald. Into the second half, the Beavers needed inspiration, making a change on 51 minutes, with David Tarpy coming on for the injured Dean Wells.

Hampton seemed content to keep the score at 1-1 and the defence did a good job keeping the Bromley attack out of the Hampton box. With 20 minutes to go, the Beavers were starting to edge in front and the inspiration came, Ian Hodges replacing a very hard-working Yaku.

Hodges, with a burst of energy, was a menace to the Bromley defence, making them work very hard to keep him and Craig Dundas from penetrating.

In the 79th minute, Hampton finally got their winner.

It was goal to remember, with the ball making its way through to Dundas, who unleashed a fierce shot from 18 yards into the top right corner.

Hampton had to work hard and they held their own but, on 89 minutes, there was a late scare.

Bromley had a go at goal 20 yards out that drew a superb save from Davies, who ensured the Beaver notched their first three points.

Next up, Hampton have a tough home game on Tuesday against Braintree Town, who are undefeated so far this season.

Then on Saturday, the Beavers are on the road again paying a visit to Bath City.

Hampton: 1. Kevin Davies, 2. Marcello Fernandes, 3. Craig Tanner, 4. Orlando Jeffery, 5. Elliott Brathwaite (41), 6. Dean Wells (51), 7. Stuart Lake, 8. Francis Quarm, 9. Craig Dundas, 10. Lawrence Yaku (70), 11. Barrie Matthews.

Subs: Ian Hodges (70), Keiron Knight, David Tarpy (51), Jon McDonald (41)

Attendance: 387