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HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH 2 - 0 WHYTELEAFE
Saturday 11th October 2008
FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
Whyteleafe went out of this competition to Blue Square South rivals, but certainly can be proud of their performance against a side two levels above them. Stuart Massey's plucky side played good football and on the day there was little to choose between the sides apart from the finishing, which was that bit sharper by the hosts.
The visitors started brightly and attacked the hosts' goal winning a corner in only the second minute. Robbie Smith's inswinger was headed away by the defence.
In the eighth minute Cedric Kabongo put a great through ball to Ronnie Green. Matt Lovell in goal was quickly out and assisted by defender Craig Tanner, blocked Green's effort.
Four minutes later Green was the provider, this time finding Nicky Greene, who saw his shot saved by Lovell. On 15 minutes a Steve McNamara inswinging corner was punched out by Lovell as far as Green. He put the ball across the face of goal where Paul Scott's shot on the turn went over the bar.
A minute later McAuley had a shot well saved by Rob Tolfrey after good work by Lawrence Yaku. Denva McKenzie found Scott in the box but his shot was saved by Lovell.
Hampton took the lead in the 18th minute. Tolfrey came out to meet Yaku as he raced on to a through ball, but a lovely touch took him past Tolfrey and he slotted the ball into the empty net. Hampton then had a good spell as they consolidated their lead.
'Leafe started to push again towards the end of the half. Adam Broomhead headed just over in the 39th minute and Robbie Smith curled a 45th minute free kick straight at Lovell.
After the break a cross from Green in the 50th minute found McKenzie and his looping header nearly caught out Lovell but he managed to track back to make a good save.
Hampton could have extended their lead in the 57th minute when the dangerous Yaku was clear but his shot was wide of the mark. McKenzie found Green in the box just before the hour but Robbie Kember, the last defender was alert and cleared the danger. Four minutes later Scott made another dangerous run into the box but was again thwarted by the last defender, turning the ball away for a corner.
McNamara's corner was punched out to Scott whose shot appeared to be blocked by a hand but his penalty claims were turned down and Broomhead was booked for his protests in a game that never was dirty but saw an over fussy referee brandish eight yellow cards (four to each side) as well as ordering manager Stuart Massey from the dugout.
Scott won the ball down the left in the 72nd minute and put over a great ball that was agonisingly inches out of the reach of substitute Sean Rivers who just needed a touch to put it in the net. Three minutes later another McNamara corner was played deep to Greene running in. He shot from 25 yards but it was blocked by the defence.
Hampton made the game safe in the 76th minute when another run from the lively Yaku found Barrie Matthews in good position in front of goal and he made no mistake from close range. The tie was realistically now over but 'Leafe battled on and in the final minute Smith hit a free kick that was blocked by the wall. Broomhead fired the rebound at a defender's hand, but in fairness, he could hardly have got out of the way and the penalty claims were turned down.
Whyteleafe were disappointed to depart from the competition but had done themselves proud with their best run in eight years.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Hudson, McNamara, Reeve , Broomhead, Kabongo, Green (Gibbs 78), Smith, McKenzie (Rivers 67), Scott, Greene.
NB. click on thumbnail for full size picture
Steve McNamara |
Nicky Greene and Denva |
...in trouble again? |
Paul Scott |
Jackpot winner |
Robbie and Ced |
Asher Hudson |
Denva wants it |
Mass in exile |
Adam Broomhead |
Hampton's hooligan
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common or garden |