OPPOSITION Q&A

Tommy discusses the Beavers

ABOUT ME

I’m 17 and have been following Hampton all of my life, watching my first game at 20 days old! I am also privileged to attend the Hampton FC academy, which means I can continue to be around the club enjoying it’s journey.

FORM

Our recent form has been very good, currently 7 unbeaten, including only 2 draws, with our most recent result being a 1-1 draw with Welling on Tuesday night. Hoping to keep the run going and better our 17-game unbeaten run from earlier in the season!

HIGHLIGHTS

Our highlights this season have to be our FA Trophy run where we reached the Last 16, knocking out Southend and Hartlepool both away from home and both on penalties, before unfortunately succumbing to Macclesfield. In the league, a couple of 90th minute winners recently against Eastbourne and Chippenham have been good moments at Beveree!

KEY PLAYERS

Our Key Players have to be Sam Deadfield and Luis Fernandes. Luis is our Centre Back, and is an absolute rock, and Sam Deadfield has had a superb season, and is an exceptional passer of the ball!

THE MANAGER

Since January 2023, our manager has been Mel Gwinnett. He came over from Barnet having been assistant manager there under Dean Brennan. He saved us from relegation last year, and now has us challenging for the automatic play-off spots! The team is generally set up a bit like a 4-4-2, but can also look like a 4-2-2-2.

POSSIBLE LINE-UP

Our likely starting XI will be Desbois, Pitblado, Inman, Fernandes, Revan, Deadfield, Anifowose, Gray, Donaldson, Seymour and Fadahunsi after Bloomfield’s slight niggle on Tuesday night.

AWAY SUPPORT

On previous trips to Torquay we have brought around 60-70 both times. Hopefully with the form the team are in and the size of the game, we can get closer to 100. We don’t have a huge away following, but can be a fairly vocal bunch at times!

PROMOTION PROSPECTS

Can We? Yes. Will we? I don’t think so. It’s such a strong division this year and I think there are other sides that are more than capable to get promoted. If not this year, I’m sure that we will be fully equipped for a promotion charge next season!

BEST OPPOSITION

There are a few sides that have impressed me this year. Chelmsford and Yeovil being 2 of the obvious answers, but Slough were a stern test over the New Year too! Aveley also looked good over the 2 games this season that we have played! It shows the strength of the league this year, with every team able to nick points off each other.

PREDICTION

I’m going for a 2-1 Hampton win. But I wouldn’t be adverse to a draw. Finally I would like to add, that all of us at Hampton are all hoping for Torquay to pull through, and we stand together, hence our Supporters Trust offering seats to Torquay fans on our coach down there this Saturday. Hoping to see a packed out Plainmoor in support of your wonderful football club!