Hampton still hopeful of play-off charge (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Hampton still hopeful of play-off charge

11:24am Thursday 26th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Hampton & Richmond Borough captain Dean Wells has admitted confidence in the camp is low, but insists the play-offs remain a realistic target.

The Beavers crashed 2-0 at Welling United on Tueday night to leave them looking over their shoulders towards the bottom of the Blue Square South table.

Boss Alan Devonshire kept the players on the pitch for 20 minutes after the final whistle, but Wells insisted it was far from a case of reading his men the riot act.

“We are a bit low at the moment and Dev was just reminding us that we are good players,” he said.

“He trusts us to turn things around. It is just a case of keeping morale high and things will eventually turn for us.

“We are too easy to pick off at the minute and we are not quite firing for whatever reason.

“We are not providing the strikers with the service they need and we are conceding far too many goals.

“There are only eight points between us and the play-offs. A good run will shoot us right up there and that is the target.

“No-one really looks at the table until after Christmas. If we are in the mix in January, I’m sure we will kick on.”

Tuesday’s result came days after goals from Nathan Collier, Stuart Lake and Barrie Matthews secured passge to the FA Trophy first round proper thanks to a 3-2 triumph over Ryman League Division One North Concord Rangers.

Hampton had led 3-0, but suffered a late scare as the visitors fought back in the closing stages to come within a Matt Lovett save of claiming a replay.

Devonshire’s men have suffered their fair share of injuries this season, but Wells reckons one man has been missed more than most.

“Francis Quarm is a big player for us. He is all action in the midfield. He breaks up play and creats things,” he added.

“You don’t think you’ll miss him until he is not there. He is a bit of an unsung hero and we haven’t had many of those this season.”

Hampton enjoy a weekend off this week before travelling to Weston-Super-Mare on Tuesday and Wells is wary of the festive fixture pile-up to come.

“The games come thick and fast at this time of year. We’ve got to find the consistency quickly otherwise it is January before you know it,” he said.

“It is too early to be worried about the bottom of the table. By April we could easily be up to third.”

Hampton’s next three fixtures: Dec 1 Weston-Super-Mare (a), 5 Dorchester Town (h), 8 Northwood or Bedfont (MSC, h).

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)