Beveree Chat

THOSE WERE THE DAYS
30th August 1986

Isthmian (Vauxhall-Opel) League Division 1

Hampton 2 (Walkes, 23’, Hales, 84’) Oxford City 1 (Burn, 8’) Att; 173

Hampton;-
Julian Gray; Freddie Wilson, Bobby Green, Tim Hollands, Jim Wigmore, Mark Harmsworth, Sean O’Connell, Malcolm Dickenson, Ricky Walkes (Steve Rogers, 75’), John Hales, Trevor Smith (Frank Hanafin, 71’).

Oxford City;-
Colin Fleet; Paul Torevell, Paul Bradbury, Eddie Innes, P Griffiths, P New, Dale Thorne, John Burn, Russell Vircavs, Steve Dixon, Peter Arch.
Subs; J Walters, N Dawson

Oxford striker, Steve Dixon, was spoken to by the referee after three minutes, for ‘roughing up’ Hampton’s Reserve keeper, Julian Gray (brought in after first team keeper, Chris Vagg had emigrated to Australia), a sample of Oxford’s physical approach for the whole game. Oxford grabbed an eighth minute lead when Gray misjudged John Burn’s cross/shot. Midway during the half, Walkes leapt higher than everyone else and headed the ball past the visiting keeper. Referee Underwood was a busy chap issuing bookings to Hales, Wilson and Russell Vircavs. During the second half Oxford had two more players booked with Hampton pressing forward. Eventually Hampton got the goal they deserved. With six minutes to go, Hales, cut in from the right, fired in a shot which appeared to be covered by Colin Fleet, but somehow the ball sneaked in at the near post. Hampton should have had a third, Hollands brought the ball the length of the pitch, Fleet blocked his shot, Hales following in, also saw his effort blocked.



The Old Historian

Even though he was right at the end of his career, what a fabulous player Bobby Green was. Played for some very big non league clubs in the 70s and early 80s, and represented the England Amateur side. True class, even with a slightly evident running out of steam towards the end of games, but his positional sense and ability to read a game meant this hardly ever matterred.