SEAGULLS MISS OUT IN HAMPTON DEFEAT
Despite a change in formation, the Seagulls couldn’t muster up a win as Hampton & Richmond grabbed their fourth win on the bounce in the National League South.
The host’s Chris Dickson fired over from 18 yards on the half turn after Zak Joseph had crossed the ball in towards the frontman. Just before the first goal Luke Purnell made two excellent saves to first deny Dickson and then prevent Craig Dundas from the rebound before Weston’s defence scrambled the ball out for a corner.
Jake Lee and Matty Whichelow both challenge for a high ball at the Beveree. (C) Will.T.Photography
Hampton’s first goal came when Joseph ran down the right wing pushing the ball across to Dundas. The striker controlled the ball to simply finish into the corner from the edge of the area to give the Beavers the lead.
Dickson came close when Dundas was played in down the left channel, flicking the ball over to the former Chelmsfod forward, only to head over at the back post.
Hampton’s second came when Michael Corcoran threaded the ball through to Dickson, who got in behind Matt Bower and fired across Purnell and into the far corner to double the home side’s lead.
Seagulls’ Jason Pope came close when he drove out from the back, firing narrowly over the bar from 25 yards, before a Jarrad Welch free-kick was deflected wide, despite the angle being marginally against him.
Simon Downer and Seagull’s Brad Ash chase the ball in their National League South clash. (C) Will.T.Photography
Into the second half, Joseph drove forward, holding off the second half skipper Jake Lee as he travelled with the ball, with Joseph reaching the edge of the area and firing into the corner for 3 – 0.
Weston pulled one back when Welch got his toe to a ball ahead of Rian Bray and was brought down by the centre-back. Jamie Lucas stepped up to the spot and fired his penalty into the top corner, giving Weston a route back into the game.
One last chance came for the Seagulls when Brad Ash cut inside from the right and on his weaker left foot, however his shot was easily held by Hampton keeper Tom Lovelock.
FT: Hampton 3 – 1 Weston (Dundas 20, Dickson 26, Joseph 62 – Lucas pen 67)
Weston XI: Purnell, McGrory (Swallow 60), Bower, Cane (C) (Diallo HT), Pope, Lee, Ash, Byrne, Lucas (Plummer 78), Welch, Nurse. Unused substitutes: Phipps, Hill.
MOTM: Jason Pope – The Seagulls centre back gets MOTM for today, having put in a good performance at the back. Came close to scoring and his reading of the play was top notch, as per usual
Report by – Liam Drury