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Blue Square Bet South

Hampton & Richmond Borough v St Albans City

Saturday, February 5, 2011

ST ALBANS City head to fellow strugglers Hampton & Richmond Borough this Saturday in desperate need of all three points.

ADDRESS: Beveree Stadium, Beaver Close, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2BT.

Tel: 0208 979 2456

THE LOW-DOWN: After a couple of seasons battling it out at the top end of the Conference South table, the last two years have been a struggle for the Beavers.

Last season Hampton finished 14th in the league but this campaign has been even more of a struggle with the Beavers currently a point and a place better off than the Saints.

The 2008/09 runners up haven’t won in the league since October 2 when they beat Dover Athletic 3-2 at the Beveree and they’ve only picked up a point in their last three games.

Last time out Hampton slumped to a 4-2 defeat to play-off hopefuls Ebbsfleet United with James Simmonds and David Tarpey netting the Beavers’ goals.

THE MANAGER: Former West Ham United and England midfielder Alan Devonshire has insisted he will not walk away from Hampton despite their disappointing league position.

Devonshire has been in charge at the Beveree since 2003, guiding the club to the play-offs in 2008/09 where they lost out to Hayes & Yeading.

Devonshire oversaw promotion back to the Ryman Premier Division in his first season in charge and then lead the club to their first ever title at that level in 2006/07.

The 54-year-old, who celebrated 400 games in charge of the club back in September last year, guided the Beavers to third in their first season in Conference South before their 2008/09 play-off disappointment in their second campaign at the level.

THE SQUAD: Matt Lovett has recently returned from injury to regain his place between the sticks for the Beavers behind a five man defence. The backline boasts a lot of experience at Conference South level in the shape of Dean Wells, Orlando Jeffrey and Dean Inman. Former Leyton Orient youngster Barrie Matthews operated at right wing-back in the Beavers’ draw with Basingstoke with Craig Tanner slotting in on the left-hand side.

The Beavers will be without the suspended Francis Quarm for Saturday’s game so there is a place up for grabs in midfield alongside Nathan Collier and former Chelsea trainee James Simmonds.

Lee Hodges and Charlie Moone are the prefereed strike force at the Beveree at present although the experience of Lawrence Yaku and the trickery of David Tarpey gives Devonshire other options up top.

LAST TIME: It was a case of honours even when the two sides met at Clarence Park back in August.

Adam Martin’s 50th minute header from Robbie Martin’s cross gave Clarence Park its first goal of the season but James Simmonds hit back 16 minutes later. Simmonds was denied a second by Paul Bastock and Lawrence Yaku volleyed wide as the visitors wasted late chances to win as City were held to their fifth straight draw.

REFEREE (subject to change): Nigel Lugg (Chipstead, Surrey) assisted by K Stone and S Kay.

* CITYLIVE coverage will begin at around 2.30pm.