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Hampton & Richmond scored an injury time winner to knock AFC out of the FA Youth Cup and condem them to their first defeat this season.
On the reflection of play Hampton deserved to go through after playing the better football and looking the team with more hunger.
The night started poorly as the Hampton right winger who found space all night lobbed a cross into the penalty area which was mis-judged by Tom Gibson and crossed the line to give Hampton the advantage. AFC came back and equalised in the 30th minute when James Stenning played a one-two with Ollie Killick and found the unmarked Simeon Burnett who scored from close range. Hampton looked the better side in the first half and had the greater possession and desire.
Half Time 1 - 1
The second half was again Hampton playing the better football with AFC struggling to keep the ball and create many chances. Jamie Evans who took a knock was replaced by Dan Rogers with Matt Harmsworth being replaced up front with Peter Rapson. The changes did not have the desired effect and on 80 minutes Hampton went ahead when the left winger was given too much time and space and hit a left foot drive that went in the bottom corner. Josh Ayres was then replaced by Tom Tollady for a last throw at the dice. This subsitution seemed to work as Tom Tollady started to give some bite and forward mobility into the midfield. In the final minute Tom Tollady won a fine 50/50 tackle on the edge of the box Tollady then found Ollie Killick whose square pass teed up Harry Knock, his shot was well struck but the Hampton keeper made a complete hash of the save and the ball went through his hands and into the net. Extra time loomed as the game went into injury time but AFC were dealt a cruel blow when very poor defending allowed the right winger to steal the ball off Dan Rogers go past him and two other defenders before finding the bottom corner to give Hampton the victory.
Back to league action next week where we need to improve dramatically as we face Casuals at home.
