WITH BOTH sides evenly matched, it took a crisp and unstoppable strike from Marcello Fernandes to send Conference Blue Square South Hampton & Richmond through to the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup. Two goals in quick succession before the break – one for either side – ensured the scores remained even for much of the game. But following a tight second half, Fernandes’ piledriver with three minutes of normal time to go ultimately decided the match.

The game started at a frenetic pace, although no clear cut chances emerged for quite some time. Sherwin Stanley was in the picture on 16 minutes, but his glancing header from Junior Dadson’s left wing cross was comfortable for Beavers keeper Matt Lovett. At the other end, Millers stopper Jamie Lunan fumbled a corner from Barrie Matthews, but when the ball fell to John Scarborough, the Hampton player wasted a fine chance by skying it over the bar.

Former Sutton target man Craig Dundas cut inside but drilled wide of the near post on 25 minutes, before Aveley’s Matt Johnson knocked the ball down for Martin Tuohy to rifle into the net by way of the underside of the bar. However, an early linesman’s flag ruled the effort out.

In a good flowing move, Dadson found Sam Holloway inside the Hampton box, who crossed for the prowling Stanley, but his header was blocked on the line by the keeper on the half-hour mark.

Lively midfielder Ryan Edgar flashed a shot wide from the edge of the area shortly afterwards as the Millers mounted a sustained assault on the Beavers’ territory. The home players were literally queuing up to take pot shots at Hampton’s goal on 35 minutes but constantly saw their efforts charged down. At the third time of asking, Tuohy fired just wide with a low shot.

Dundas ripped through the Aveley defence on 37 minutes and was well placed to open the scoring, but his effort was somehow tipped over the bar at point blank range by Lunan at the expense of a corner.

There was nothing the keeper could do about the visitors’ opening goal on 41 minutes though. Matthews’ corner was flicked on at the near post by the head of Jamie Collins, with Dean Wells bundling home at the back post to put Hampton ahead.

Their lead lasted less than four minutes as the Millers saved themselves from a half-time dressing-down with an equalising goal. Almost on the stroke of half-time, Tuohy set up Stanley, who ran on and slotted past the keeper for 1 - 1.

The second half was less eventful, with a number of half-chances going by the wayside for both teams in the minutes following the restart. Mid-way through the half, Edgar nodded down a cross from the left into the path of Tuohy, but the striker blazed over the bar.

On a good playing surface, both sides struggled to find a breakthrough, although the mood of the game was soured when a violent confrontation involving Aveley boss Rod Stringer and two Hampton players led to the Millers boss sensibly retreating to a position behind the stand-off barrier and away from the dugout. The incident was sparked when Hampton’s Craig Tanner launched into a horrific studs-up tackle on the unsuspecting Matt Johnson, flooring the Millers midfielder. An altercation between boss Stringer and Tanner ensued, with Hampton midfielder Jamie Collins also getting involved. The situation died down after a few moments, at which point Millers assistant boss Eddie Crace assumed control of the side with Stringer having vacated the dugout as a result of the incident. Tanner was booked for the initial tackle.

With the tie heading for extra time, the Aveley defence failed to properly clear their lines on 87 minutes, with Marcello Fernandes finding himself in the right place to launch an unstoppable and spectacular effort past the airborne Lunan and into the top corner.
Millers went for broke in the closing minutes, throwing strikers Piers Wixon and Ian Luck into the fray, but ultimately it was the Beavers who progressed to a Forth Qualifying Round date with Sutton United.

Over the two ties, Millers gave a very good account of themselves, and could feel disappointed not to be in the next round. A feeling endorsed by many connected to Hampton & Richmond Borough Football Club, who were mightily relieved to be still in the competition.

Aveley: Jamie Lunan, Ryan Doyle, Sam Holloway (Piers Wixon, 88), Nicky Symons (Ian Luck, 90), Michael Alaile, Richard Ketchell, Ryan Edgar, Matt Johnson, Sherwin Stanley, Martin Tuohy, Junior Dadson.

Subs not used: Mitch Hahn, Sam Lechmere, Clydie Roberts, Darren Quinton, James Marrable (GK).