Those Were The Days; 16th March 1996
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2026 4:54 pm
THOSE WERE THE DAYS
16th March 1996
Isthmian (ICIS) League; Division 2
Croydon 1 (Norris, 7’) Hampton 0 Att; 60
Hampton;-
Mark Russell; Warren Drew, Jon Reilly, Danny Collyer, Steve Cheshire, Dave Rattue, Robin Lewis (Barry Moore, 55’), Mark Wilson, Darren Smith, Peter Wood, Warren Bayliss (Phil George, 80’).
Unused Sub; Tony Coombe.
Hampton travelled to Croydon on the back of a five-game unbeaten run having, a few days earlier, qualified for the Middlesex Senior Cup Final, after beating Enfield 3-1. The two teams were both in the hunt for promotion to Division 1, so a tight contest was on the cards. The crowd of 60 was dwarfed by the cavernous surrounds of the Croydon Arena (do I not like football in athletic stadia!). The match was settled within just seven minutes. Croydon won a corner and, despite being marked by three defenders, Jon Egan headed the ball onto Matt Norris, who headed in at the far post, 1-0. Norris had a chance to make it 2-0 just after the half-hour but his shot hit a post. Hampton were forced to defend numerous attacks with Rattue putting in a good shift. Hampton only managed to break out occasionally, the Croydon keeper, Andrew Little, having a very quiet day. At half time Referee Dixon had to retire with a leg injury, the senior linesman was able to take over and referee the game after a qualified referee was found from the ‘crowd’. Hampton would only lose one of their remaining twelve games to gain promotion in third place. Croydon were also promoted, finishing second behind Canvey Island.
The Old Historian
16th March 1996
Isthmian (ICIS) League; Division 2
Croydon 1 (Norris, 7’) Hampton 0 Att; 60
Hampton;-
Mark Russell; Warren Drew, Jon Reilly, Danny Collyer, Steve Cheshire, Dave Rattue, Robin Lewis (Barry Moore, 55’), Mark Wilson, Darren Smith, Peter Wood, Warren Bayliss (Phil George, 80’).
Unused Sub; Tony Coombe.
Hampton travelled to Croydon on the back of a five-game unbeaten run having, a few days earlier, qualified for the Middlesex Senior Cup Final, after beating Enfield 3-1. The two teams were both in the hunt for promotion to Division 1, so a tight contest was on the cards. The crowd of 60 was dwarfed by the cavernous surrounds of the Croydon Arena (do I not like football in athletic stadia!). The match was settled within just seven minutes. Croydon won a corner and, despite being marked by three defenders, Jon Egan headed the ball onto Matt Norris, who headed in at the far post, 1-0. Norris had a chance to make it 2-0 just after the half-hour but his shot hit a post. Hampton were forced to defend numerous attacks with Rattue putting in a good shift. Hampton only managed to break out occasionally, the Croydon keeper, Andrew Little, having a very quiet day. At half time Referee Dixon had to retire with a leg injury, the senior linesman was able to take over and referee the game after a qualified referee was found from the ‘crowd’. Hampton would only lose one of their remaining twelve games to gain promotion in third place. Croydon were also promoted, finishing second behind Canvey Island.
The Old Historian