Those Were The Days; 9th September 2014

[Les1949]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

9th September 2014

Isthmian (Ryman) League; Premier Division

HRBFC 4 (Harris 10’, Moone 44’, Kewley-Graham 70’, Mason 82’) Leiston 6 (Francis 42’ 72’, Brothers 19’, Parker 59’, Heath, pen 65’, Winter 68’) Att; 232

HRBFC;-
Jack Norton; Jerome Federico, George Wells, Tommy Brewer, Billy Jeffreys(c), Justyn Roberts, Luke Wanadio, Karle Carder (Jesse Kewley-Graham 51), Ben Harris (Paris Mason 38), Charlie Moone, Billy Dunn (Michael Bryan 84).
Unused Subs: Max Hustwick, Gareth Chendlik.

Leiston:-
Danny Gay; Blake Saker, Stuart Boardley, Michael Brothers, Joe Jefford(c), Adam Tann, Tom Winter (Scott Mitchell 73), Gareth Heath, Leon Ottley-Gooch, Craig Parker, Joe Francis.
Unused Subs: Josh Meritt, Anthony Johnson, Alex Rossis.

Hampton’s season got off to a terrible start with five out of five defeats and hugging the bottom of the table. A slight improvement followed but then came the midweek visit of Leiston, and a ten-goal extravaganza. Both teams had early chanced before Harris bundled the ball home after Danny Gay couldn’t hold Moone’s effort. Nine minutes later it was 1-1, Michael Brothers with a twenty-five yard screamer. Hampton were forced into a change when Harris fell awkwardly, youngster Mason came on for him. It was soon back to chances and goals. Leiston took the lead with another top class shot by Joe Francis in the 42nd minute. There was still time for Moone to level up the score before half-time. Both teams seemed to pause for breath at the start of the second half and took until just before the hour mark for normal service to be resumed, and then some. Craig Parker fires past Norton then a handball by Jeffreys was penalised by Gareth Heath (2-4). It didn’t take long for a fifth by the visitors, Tom Winter slotting in a cross from Joe Francis. Hampton pulled a goal back when Kewley-Graham curled a free-kick into the top corner (3-5). The problem with hope is that it is an fragile thing and Leiston squashed it into the ground with their sixth goal, scored by Joe Francis. The final goal, for Hampton, was scored by their young substitute, Mason, his pace taking him clear of Leiton’s defenders. Hampton’s management team of Darren Powell and Paul Barry lasted one more game ( F A Cup loss at VCD Athletic) to bring in Alan Dowson’s first time in charge.


The Old Historian