Hampton first team are you watching!!!! (Elliot Frost was!)
For my money this was Beavers FC's biggest game to date. We had the privilage of gracing the turf, which Bob had prepared for us at The Beveree Stadium for our latest outing. This weeks opponents a return match against Slough Town Supporters.
Even though most of the team had had a rather late night at the Presentation Evening we turned up eager to avenge our defeat earlier in the season and follow in the footsteps of "The Champions" by beating Slough on the same pitch for the second time in two weeks.
The team had a really good spirit about it and it showed with the Beavers comfortably dealing with some early Slough forward runs. Then everything just seemed to click with Danny and Craig forming a really useful looking strike partnership. Craig showing the quality that we have now come to expect with a jostling forward run ending with the ball supplied to Danny, who when he gets around twelve yards out has been finishing well, he did again scoring to the 'keepers right.
A few minutes later a momentary lapse in concentration saw Slough's No16, who was to be a thorn in our side, hit a well weighted shot from the left which cruelly looped just over Nashy's outstretched fingertips to put Slough on the scoresheet.
But Matt Nash is not the type of guy to let anyone get away with that sort of thing and payback time was sweet, he thumped an enormous kick the full length of the pitch, the bounce sending the Slough 'keeper backward and was only able to help the ball into the back of the net. This is no more than Nashy deserved because he has been such a great player on and off the pitch for us all season.
The Beavers continued the good work with Craig terrorising the Slough defence and when the chance fell to him, following his own skill, he made no mistake by drilling the ball into the back of the net.
Now it was time for Curt to chalk his name up, and after his excellent play down the left all game, scored his goal.
Paul D must not be overlooked because he did some tremendous work in midfield which went on for the duration of the game.
With an almost carbon copy of their first goal Slough's No16 followed up by scoring their second to send us in at halftime with a two goal cushion.

Half Time: Beavers 4 Slough 2

We left the changing rooms for the second half knowing the job was only half done and we all encouraged each other to "keep it going". But when you have got a defender like Elliott and a man like Stef who has a Hampton badge on his heart, encouragement was not really necessary and Simmo is developing into a player of real quality. The improvement in everyones game, since our humble beginings, was exemplified by Dave Rees who had a great game.
Lee Dev started to show class supporting the strikers playing some neat touches which created chances for us. The pick of the goals had to be Danny's second when he climbed above everyone else for a high ball and slammed an unstopable header onto the underside of the bar and across the line. The name on everyones lips was Rob Paris!
Lee Dev then capped a great performance with a well taken goal of his own.
Late in the game Craig Cole collapsed in agony clutching his calf, all his teamates fearing the worst following his terrible knee injury earlier in the season, were relieved to find it was just cramp.
Slough did notch a third with their star man No16 completing his hatrick.
All the subs got on and carried on where the boys they replaced left off.
As the ref (Jesus-to whom we owe our thanks) put the whistle to his mouth to blow for full time Hampton were still focused even though the game was in the bag and were still competing in the ninetieth minute as we always do.
The Slough players were a credit to their club and we wish them well for next season.
Special thanks must be given to Anita, who following the game provided everyone with a hot meal which was gratefully accepted.

Full Time: Beavers FC 6 Slough Town 3 (Goals: Danny 2, Nashy, Craig, Curt, Lee)

POM: Every member of Beavers FC (Everybody played so well it was not possible to single one person out).

Line up: Nashy, Jamie H, Elliott, Stef, Simmo, Dave R, Curt, Paul D, Lee Dev, Danny, Craig.
Subs: (all used) Dave B, Adam, Gibbo, John, Tom