Tarpey magic secures another valuable draw

The Beavers edged closer to the 40-point target that anager Alan Devonshire reckons is needed to guarantee Blue Square South survival with this hard-earned point against a side that sat just six points off a play-off slot before kick-off, writes Paul Barker.

Despite the return of the sun in the previous two days, conditions were still very soft underfoot and it was no surprise to see the pitch cutting up from the off.

It was the visitors who set the early pace, forcing a corner in the opening minute.

Wes Fogden in the Hawks midfield was looking lively and started to dictate the play.

Dev restored Dave Tarpey to the starting line-up and in the sixth minute you could see why.

He outpaced ex-Beaver, McDonald, who was forced to upend him. Tarpey was also causing Havant problems from free-kicks.

Dundas was bought down about 35 yards out, but the distance did not stop Tarpey from trying his luck and Ashmore in the Hawks goal did well to hang onto a goal-bound effort.

Both teams then settled down to a game of cat'n' mouse as they cancelled each other out. Then midway through the half, Dundas went on one of his bulldozing runs and, despite being pulled back by his shirt, got his shot away.

Referee Rock gave the Hampton striker the advantage but Dundas remonstrated with the official and had his name taken as a result. Shortly after, Havant’s Hishelwood’s name went into Mr Rock’s note book for a foul on Wells.

Then on 31 minutes the Beavers’ fans held their breath as Tanner needed lengthy treatment on his right ankle. But to the relief of everyone he was soon back in action.

It was Tanner who was forced into conceding a corner that led to the opening goal on 35 minutes.

McDonald’s in swinging kick was met powerfully and unopposed by Tiryaki to give the visitors the lead, which they held on to until the interval.

Just before the break Yaku, who had been quite until now, had a couple of efforts that just missed the target.

At the start of the second half, Devonshire was forced to make a change.

Beckford came on for Stuart Lake, who was suffering with a slight thigh strain.

The 4-4-2 formation saw Matthews move into midfield, Tanner was shifted to right back and Dean Inman on the left.

Tarpey was soon in the action again, when his left foot shot forced Ashmore to make a fine finger tip save.

Five minutes into the second half, Lawrence Yaku forced another corner, which was taken short, but Tarpey’s effort could only find the side netting.

Then, on 58 minutes, Lovett came out bravely at the feet of the on-rushing Williams, but unfortunately Havant’s leading marksman caught the Hampton keeper in the face.

Mr Rock decided that warranted a yellow card. A lengthy stoppage was required to patch up Lovett, while they waited for a replacement goalkeeping jersey to be retrieved from the changing room.

Soon after the restart, the physio, who had not even made it back to the dug out, was required to treat Inman, who was felled by a heavy challenge, but again after treatment on the sideline was able to continue.

Following all this drama, we did not have to wait long before the real highlight of an enjoyable game.

Tarpey exchanged passes with Beckford in central midfield.

He then found himself on the edge of the penalty area, just left of centre, and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the right hand corner of the net, giving Ashmore no chance.

Ian Hodges entered the fray soon after, in place of Yaku.

Hodges's heading ability was put to good use in the home area when he cleared a corner as the visitors began to search for the winner.

But it was the hard-working Dundas who nearly won the points when he latched on to a poor back header by Gasson, but his effort went narrowly wide. In the final 10 minutes Havant laid siege to the home goal.

On 82 minutes Tabiri saw his goal-bound shot cleared by a Hampton body.

The resulting corner saw the ball enter the net, but Mr Rock spotted an infringement, which enabled Hampton to clear their lines.

The Beavers’ defence, again well marshalled by the skipper, Dean Wells, stood firm until the final whistle.

The result means that Hampton regained 18th spot, six points above Lewes in 20th and still with two games in hand.

The Beavers have now only lost once in the past six and that was to champions-elect, Newport.

This has truly been a great effort by Dev and all the team.

If the team continues to perform in this manner I am confident they will gain the 10 points needed to reach Dev’s from their remaining fixtures.

Following the match, Tricia Barker made a presentation to Barrie Matthews to mark his 200th appearance for the club.

Hampton: Matt Lovett, Dave Tarpey, Craig Tanner, Orlando Jeffery, Dean Inman, Dean Wells, Stuart Lake (Karl Beckford, 45), Nathan Collier, Craig Dundas ( Chris Robinson, 83), Lawrence Yaku (Ian Hodges 64), Barrie Matthews

Subs not used: Ashley Quashie, Steffan Gaisie

Bookings: Craig Dundas

Man of the match: Dave Tarpey

Att:335