FA cup 2q draw

[HamptonMad]

2.1 maidstone

[Lord Elpus]

Winner in the last minute. Couldn't go today but that is gutting.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Second consecutive game to concede in the last minute.
Await more news soon?

[HamptonMad]

Late goal header accross the goal and headed in.

[TW10]

Deja vu, again all the hard work undone. I feel for the players and manager. We need a commanding experienced unit at the back asap

[Shepperton Supporter]

Deja vu, again all the hard work undone. I feel for the players and manager. We need a commanding experienced unit at the back asap

Would agree it’s something that some of us have commented upon all season. Last two games headed goal conceded at the end.

[Tony]

Couldn’t go today. To lose at the last gasp is really hard on the team but as others have said conceding late headed goals does point to a need for extra experience to see out games. I am sure Alan Julian will be aware as anyone but resources will be limited to address.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Think we all have pinpointed where we need to strengthen but it is not easy given our financial position. You can’t lose players of the standard of Inman and Fernandez. As for other positions, midfield might be stronger and better balanced than last season. Today without Atkinson and Gray would not have helped particular as Atkinson does such a good job in shielding the defence.
Onward to the next game.

[HamptonLifer5]

Thought it was an even game between 2 sides who aren't particularly prolific in front of goal. We had our fair share of chances, with Vilhete forcing a good save, and Babajide heading over the bar. James Roberts was a live-wire throughout and majority of our better chances came from the right hand side. At every point in the game we looked to play out from the back, which worked well at times and we looked comfortable on the ball, but playing this way does leave you open to mistakes and counter attacks. We did have to defend a lot of turnovers however playing this way, and you have to wonder how we would fare if the ball is taken from us when we are as open as we were at points today. Their penalty looked a distance outside of the area, and giving Curd a yellow card in the process, however if a free-kick was given then there would've been a strong claim to send Ted off. Then to even up the incorrect penalty decision count, James Roberts "Professionally" won a penalty, drawing an engagement from the full back, then calmly slotted the ball away to even the scores going into half time, evenly matched at one apiece. We started off the 2nd half very well, and were well in control of the game as we made it into the last 15 looking likely to score, if susceptible to the counter. Then as has become slightly common this season, in the last 15 our inexperience showed, as Maidstone looked likely to score every time they went forward. However the determination of the team to not concede was brilliant, blocks and clearances galore, including a couple off the line, causing Archy Taylor a nasty blow in the 90+3rd minute. Play stopped for 2 minutes as he received treatment meaning the allotted 5 additional minutes, became 7. But unfortunately the pressure told. Having defended one corner, the 2nd one made its way to the back post, headed across goal and Shaq Coulthirst applied the finish.

It was good to see Odei back out there as he got 60 minutes, and was replaced by Billy French for his Hampton debut. Gio Critchlow was on the bench in equally good news, hopefully he gets some minutes soon enough. Babajide had a good game providing a threat, but decision-making not quite there yet and was replaced by Wall for the last 10-15 minutes. Kris Campbell looked impressive, and back 2 of Dom Revan and Jack Taylor had a mainly assured game at the back. Keeya was quieter than he has been, and Brissett was not at the races when he came on for VIlhete. The back 2 of Revan and Jack Taylor looked assured, and Archy Taylor did superbly to recover quickly and stop a 1-on-1 with Ted late in the 2nd half. Still waiting to see Musampu get a run out, he remains unused on the bench. Alfie Williams was tidy going about his business if slightly unnoticed.

As George Elokobi said in his Post Match interview, in the last 10 minutes their fitness told, they didn't want a replay at Beveree, and they told their team that they would keep having one more chance, and they had to take it, which unfortunately they did. We held an improving Maidstone side for 96 minutes, which is a massive positive, created multiple chances, but we don't look like scoring frequently, which needs to be addressed. It doesn't get any easier with a trip to unbeaten Tonbridge next saturday, a point would be lovely.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Hampton lifer. Thanks for the very detailed report, much appreciated.

[EastTerracer]

Good report. The club commentary (using Twitter/X Spaces for the first time) had the same view on Maidstone's penalty and Ted Curd's potential fate.

[Tony]

No shame losing to Maidstone in the last minute. Torquay lost to Bishops Cleeve who are two steps below 3-0 them, we play them next at home.