Next Match – Hampton & Richmond (A)
A crucial fixture in City’s season takes place this Tuesday night as the Romans travel to Hampton & Richmond Borough.
With both teams drawing 1-1 on Saturday, Hampton remain two points and one place ahead of the Romans in the play-off spots, having played the same number of games.
Tuesday’s hosts have hit a rocky patch at the wrong time. Mel Gwinnett’s side have scored the fewest goals in the top seven (they’ve netted 35 fewer than Worthing, who are a place above) with the absences of Ben Seymour and Mason Bloomfield felt. Seymour returned from injury with the opener against Taunton at the weekend, ending the team’s three game goalless drought. He and Bloomfield, who’s been troubled by injuries this term, have 24 between them in all competitions whereas no-one else has scored more than five.
Only Yeovil, Braintree and Maidstone boast a better home record than Hamrich (their rebranded moniker under new ownership) in National League South. Having played the first seven fixtures away this season to relay the turf at the Rocket Hospitality Beveree Stadium, a regular return to their home sparked a revival. September’s embarrassing FA Cup loss at Lewes was followed by a run of nine league wins in 10 and they’ve barely left the top seven since. FA Trophy successes on penalties over former EFL clubs Southend and Hartlepool were further highlights, but their dreams ended in the last 16 at home to Step 3 Macclesfield. Hampton’s meeting with the Silkmen back in February was on the day they were due to host City, forcing this rearrangement.
City’s only away defeats in 2024 have been at the top two, Yeovil and Chelmsford, and they overcame Hampton 3-1 at Twerton Park in August. Scott Wilson’s double and a fine Ewan Clark curler wrapped up three points for the Romans with Rob Hall’s reply for the visitors just a consolation, albeit a well-taken one. Last year’s meetings were both drawn 1-1. Tuesday will be the third season running that Jerry Gill’s side have made the trip to South West London midweek and will be searching for only their second win at the venue. The previous was in August 2018 when Sean Rigg’s classy finish separated the sides, sealing Jerry Gill’s side their first win that campaign which ended in the play-offs.
Captain Kieran Parselle returned from injury on Saturday – should he feature again on Tuesday it’ll be his 100th appearance for the club. At the other end of the field, if Wilson scores against Hampton for a fourth time in two seasons, it’ll be his 20th goal of the campaign in all competitions. Cody Cooke reached that milestone in Saturday’s draw with Tonbridge Angels.
We encourage you to come along to the Rocket Hospitality Beveree Stadium this Tuesday and take in this mouthwatering top seven tussle!
