Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Dowson says he has learned his lesson from history and will not stand still in his attempt to land the Ryman Premier League title.
Five years ago this week the Beveree chief watch his Kingstonian side beat Billericay Town 1-0 and Aveley 2-0 to move second in the Ryman Premier League table.
Dowson insisted there would be no more new faces as he had already had enough backing from the Kingsmeadow board, but the move proved costly as Ks would only win three of their next 12 fixtures to slip to ninth in the table.
Opener: Aaron Morgan scrambles home in the second minute for Kingstonian on Saturday Picture: Refuel Performance Management
The signature of striker Paul Vines saw Ks rally over the run-in to a point where they needed to win at Margate on the final day to finish in the top five, but they were held to a 3-3 draw in Kent after leading 3-0.
Fast forward five years and Saturday’s 3-1 win over his former club kept Hampton second in the table behind league leaders Dulwich Hamlet.
Good start: Aaron Morgan, centre, is mobbed by his Kingstonian team-mates after putting his side in front Picture: Refuel Performance Management
And the manager has revealed he is already looking to strengthen his squad for the remaining 20 games of the campaign if he can.
“No disrespect to our lads, but we are working every single day to bring in better players if we can,” he said.
Bombardment: Ks keeper Rob Tolfrey is put under pressure by Hampton defender Moussa Diarra
“I am not interested in finishing second in the table. We want to be top of the league and we want to stay top.
“Five years ago I stuck with same team and I took too long to change it.
Lively: Former AFC Wimbledon midfielder Brendan Kiernan was always a threat for Hampton & Richmond Borough against Kingstonian on Saturday
“Even then Paul Vines came in and we had a great run-in, but that season was probably the worst I’ve ever managed.
“We led 3-0 on the final day and to draw 3-3 is unacceptable. I should have been sacked after that, but was lucky to get another chance.
Stopped: Kingstonian's Alan Innsl who was sent off in the second half, stops Hampton goalscorer Nicke Kabamba in his tracks
“But you are always learning as a manager and that will not happen again.”
Aaron Morgan, below, had put Ks ahead inside the opening five minutes on Saturday, but ex-Hampton star Alan Inns’ sending off and Tom Jelley’s penalty miss sparked Hampton’s revival and allowed Nicke Kabamba, Kieran Murphy and Charlie Moone to seal a sixth straight league victory.
Have a go hero: Eddie Hutchinson takes aim for Hampton & Richmond Borough
“We played some great football. They are a great team but we battered them at times,” added Dowson.
“To come back from going a goal down and missing a penalty shows a massive amount of character.”
Hampton head to Canvey Island tomorrow.
In your face: Hampton's Josh Casey, right, got a fruity reception from the travelling Kingstonian fans
Captain Fantastic: Hampton skipper Kieran Murphy tries to put Jamal Lowe in on goal
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