Hampton too strong against valiant Corinthians

National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough progressed to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup today with a narrow 1-0 win at Corinthian FC.

A tap-in from a couple of yards out by Ruaridh Donaldson on the half-hour mark was enough to secure the win for Gary McCann’s men.
In truth, there was only going to be one winner today as the gulf in class was all too apparent at times. The visitors ply their trade in the second tier of the Non-League Pyramid, whereas hosts Corinthian play in the the fifth tier in the Southern Counties Eastern League.

Ex-Stoke City winger Ryan Hill ran the show and was easily the man of the match today. Corinthian goalkeeper Aiden Prall could also have been a contender as he kept the score down to 1-0 with a few excellent saves.
Hill linked up well with Hampton’s target man Niko Muir who played up front on his own. The score could have been much more convincing had Muir been more clinical in front of goal as he missed several gilt-edged chances over the 90 minutes.

Corinthian went into the game with a 100% winning record this season. Strangely, they still had an FA Vase Semi Final tie against Hebburn, a side from the North East, just south of the River Tyne.
The tie was played at The Farm at the start of September, with Hebburn winning in a penalty shootout to claim at trip to Wembley. It took the lady sitting next to me all of about twenty minutes to mention the semi final defeat, the wounds still raw.

I heard the name “Hebburn” being mentioned several times at the ground today and a run in the FA Cup would help to have exorcised those demons.
Another reason why a victory for either side would be beneficial to both clubs was the £3,375 prize money for the lucky team who progressed to the next round. In the uncertain times where clubs are saving every penny, a team like Corinthians could have done with the prize money.

It became apparent early on that it would be a difficult task for ‘The Hoops’ to get the win today. Hampton and Richmond not only played better football but also had the physical edge over their opponents.
Hampton played the ball to feet and exchanged neat passes between each other. They had another weapon if they couldn’t play their way through the Corinthians defence – height. Only Eman Oloyede offered any height for the hosts, but he was played out on the wing and so offered little threat.

The first opportunity of the game came for Hampton’s Niko Muir after only two minutes. Ryan Hill crossed in low from the right wing and Muir’s shot was blocked.
Corinthians had their first chance a minute later from an indirect free kick wide on the left wing. The ball was floated into the box and after a scramble in the box, no one could get a shot in and the danger was snuffed out.

Dean Inman should have done better with a free header after eight minutes before Niko Muir had a shot palmed away at full stretch by Corinthian keeper Aiden Prall. This save was the first of several important stops by Prall and was the pick of the bunch.

Hampton were asserting their dominance at this point and had a few half-chances but didn’t convert them. It was only a matter of time before they would break the deadlock and they did after half an hour.
After some excellent short passing, Ryan Hill hit a shot at goal that was parried by Aiden Prall. The ball fell kindly to the onrushing Ruaridh Donaldson at the far post who side-footed the ball into the back of the net from two yards. This gave Hampton a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Hampton and Richmond could have doubled their advantage eight minutes after the break with the impressive Hill crossing for Muir who once again should have done better with an easy chance.
Two minutes later, Jamie Billings in the Corinthian defence lost possession of the ball about 25 yards out and Muir chipped the ball towards goal. Prall back-pedalled and managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar at full stretch. This was definitely a case of good goalkeeping instead of poor finishing but Muir could easily have taken the ball closer to goal rather than going for the spectacular.

Corinthian had a rare chance after 62 minutes with a free-kick 25 yards from goal. Jamie Billings fired in a low free kick that Alan Julian in the Hampton goal managed to push way for a corner. It was a rare save for the former Brentford and Gillingham keeper who had a quiet game throughout.

Despite Hampton playing against a side three divisions below them, they looked well-organised and should do well this season. They have a real match-winner in Ryan Hill and centre back Charlie Wassmer can play well out of defence. If Gary McCann can get Niko Muir to improve on his finishing, they could do very well.

Ground number: 89
Ticket: £8
Programme: £1
Coffee: £2.50