TT MATCH VERDICT

Tom Beddows – @BeddowsTom

Tom reports back

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH 2-2 TORQUAY UNITED – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – 02.09.25

SUMMARY

Just over 72 hours after the loss at Hemel, a much improved performance from the Yellows in leafy Hampton, however, Torquay were unable to hold on after leading the game twice and trundle back down to Devon with the points shared.

The game started frantically with a goal for each team inside the first ten minutes. Jordan Young with the opener for United, a fine cross from Cooke across goal allowed Young to slot it in the back of the net.

Hampton quickly reacted to conceding early and only 3 minutes later brought themselves back into the game. The half continued with equal pressure from both teams, without creating many chances. Ed Palmer had the opportunity to retake the lead but a mishit saw it fly into the West London night sky.

A Jordan Young freekick followed, and Dyer should be doing better to find the back of the net, but it was pushed wide by the keeper. United took the resulting corner short and a smart cross in from Dennis, was flicked on by Dreyer and looped in over the keeper. United led 2-1 at the break.

The second half started without much flare, and most of the action in the United half under pressure from Hampton. United had little opportunity to extend their lead but the clearest chance of the night came again following a corner where Dyer hit the crossbar, with the rebound unable to be controlled by Hayfield and the ball soared above the large congregation of the Yellow Army behind the goal.

The half continued with Hampton arguably on top, and threatening United’s defence. A mistake from United allowed Hampton to break down the left and switch the play to the other end of the field, with a smart ball sent across goal tapped in, ten minutes from time making the game level again.

Neither team were able to pounce in the final few moments of the game and night ended in a 2-2 draw. A mixture of reactions from the crowd, but after two poor games on the road, tonight saw United step up their attitude and performance rate and I hope we’ll move forward and continue building on that especially away from home.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 6: Didn’t have a lot to do, not at fault for either goal.

2. AKYEAMPONG – 6: Solid performance, a few good runs down the right.

3. FOULSTON – 6: Similar to Denzel, got in some threatening positions.

16. PALMER – 6: Solid enough, a few mishaps in the first half, but grew into the game.

5. DREYER – 7: Best performance of the season, neatly taken header.

4. DYER – 6: Won a lot of his duels, had chances to score.

20. HAYFIELD – 6: Busy in a makeshift two.

22. ANDERSON – 6: Got stuck in as he got to know his new team-mates.

7. DENNIS- 6: Will have better games, but a few mazy runs got United in threatening positions.

8. YOUNG – 7: Made things tick as Jordan usually does.

9. COOKE – 6: Battled well against both an experienced and youthful Hampton defence.

SUBS

29. EDWARDS- 5: Lively but not much time to effect the game.

26. THOMAS – 5: See above.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JORDAN YOUNG

Jordan Young – created pretty much all the chances, in the box, for United on the night and continued to up the pressure when needed.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS – KEANE ANDERSON

Keane Anderson – the new loanee came straight into the starting lineup, having only joined the squad at the Beveree ground this evening which can’t have been easy. He looks a good addition to a midfield currently lacking in numbers.

TACTICS

5-2-2-1 with the fullbacks provided the width.

OPPOSITION

One of the early form teams in the league so far this season. They switched on and immediately levelled the game after conceding early on and fought throughout the second half to equalise again. The responses to Hampton’s Twitter account display how pleased their fans are with their performance and they are right to be, I expect we’ll see Hampton competing for the rest of the season and look forward to the return game at Plainmoor.

THE OFFICIALS

A pretty even game for the officials, definitely a few contentious calls, but I think both teams will say the same.

CONCLUSION

Football is better when played on grass! Our fourth away game of the season and the first on real turf, it’s only when watching successive games on the artificial stuff do you realise the difference between the two surfaces. The speed of the game increases, the ball travels more cleanly and in my opinion it is overall a better viewing experience!

On the actual football, with a heavily depleted side and a hangover from the loss on Saturday, tonight was much improved, with the caveat that there is still much work to do.

United looked like they wanted to be on the pitch and that was shown by the quick start we had. With some defensive frailty still to be worked on, and the hope that some of our players return from injury by the time we travel for our next league away game in October, I’m expecting us to be in a much stronger position.

Onto Saturday, Up the Gulls!