Action from around the grounds in the FA Cup
AWELL-TAKEN first half goal from Hampton captain Ricky Wellard made the difference in a tough physical game in west London.
Described by the Beavers manager Gary McCann as ‘a game of basketball’, the opening 15 minutes set the precedent for the afternoon, with chances for Tyrell Miller-Rodney for the hosts, and Connor Hogan for the visitors threatening to break the deadlock.
The lively Rhys MurrellWilliamson was the Beavers most exciting outlet, cutting in from the right to repeatedly drive at the Urchins back four – but the Bostik Premier outfit did well to repeatedly keep him at bay.
The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute, with the Hampton captain Ricky Wellard skipping delightfully through a sea of yellow shirts, shimmying past Alexander Bentley, and rifling his first goal in a Hampton shirt past Chafer from the edge of the box.
The Urchins replaced Hogan with George Saunders at the interval, with the substitute finding himself heavily involved early on with an effort working Tom Lovelock in the Beavers goal.
The most controversial moment of the game came in the 50th minute, where Beavers goalkeeper Tom Lovelock was judged by the referee Steve Hughes to have deliberately handled the ball outside of the penalty area – but on this occasion was only shown a yellow card, much to
the bemusement of the AFC Hornchurch management team.
As Horchurch committed more players into their attack, with Coker stinging the palms of Tom Lovelock from 25 yards and Saunders continuing to threaten, defensive gaps started to appear.
A flurry of chances at both ends suggested there would be a decisive second goal, with Zak Joseph flashing a shot wide of the Hornchurch goal, moments before substitute Leon McKenzie headed over from close range - a fine chance.
The final roll of the dice from the Urchins saw Warner strike from 25 yards with a precise, curling effort, but it wasn’t to be, as the ball cannoned back off the bar, and the Beavers held firm to advance into the next round.
Hampton manager McCann said: “We were resilient, perhaps not as pleasing on the eye as we have been, but credit goes to the opposition on that front.
“I thought we were a threat, and felt we could have controlled it better, but I’m very happy with the result and defensive display.”
“I thought we deserved a draw – how we didn’t score I don’t know,” said Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane.
“Big matches are decided on one factor, and I think the referee made a massive mistake by not sending off the keeper - the game hinged on that.”