Hampton & Richmond made the short trip to Kingfield on a miserable, damp Tuesday evening buoyed by home wins against sides aiming for promotion via the play-offs.

The hosts also harboured such ambitions, finding themselves just 6 points off a top 5 spot.

The Cards have been forced to lower sights from their early season claim that they would have this league won by Christmas, due to a poor run of form that has seen them win only 5 of their 15 matches since the turn of the year.

Could the Beavers cause another upset on a difficult night for playing football.

Hampton welcomed back Barrie Matthews following illness that had kept him out of last Saturday’s clash with Eastleigh. He replaced the injured Craig Tanner at left wing back.

The rest of the starting line up remained unchanged, although the bench had a rather inexperienced look about it, with the exception of Trevor Roffey!

Woking made light of the wet conditions and played the ball swiftly around on the very damp surface. During the opening period both teams had good opportunities to open the scoring.

Craig Dundas was using his strength to good advantage in the middle of the park. Not only breaking up Woking’s attacks, but also getting Hampton moving forward.

Barrie Matthews did some good work getting behind the home defence, cutting into the penalty area along the goal line, but unfortunately his pull back was just behind the well placed Hodges.

Hodges combined well with Dundas, whose shot was gathered at the 2nd attempt buy Worner in the home goal.

Woking’s slick passing was beginning to push the Beavers back and some neat interplay in the 28th minute saw a shot from just outside the box bring a good stop from Lovett.

Faulconbridge & Ademola were proving a real handful for the Beavers’ rear guard, with both of them having good efforts that were just of target.

Woking’s attacking pressure told, when in the 36th minute, Faulconbridge turned the ball in from close range, following a good ball into the area from the right.

The hosts did not sit back on their lead and nearly doubled their advantage when Arter sent a curling shot just past the upright.

The Beavers started the 2nd half on the front foot, with Tarpey finding Hodges with a cross field pass. Hodges was bought down just outside the area and Tarpey’s whipped free kick beat everyone.

Shortly after, Woking had the ball in the net again, but Ademola was ruled offside and was harshly, in my opinion cautioned.

At the other end Yaku was also judged to be narrowly off side when Stuart Lake found him with a decent through ball. Both sides made substitutions just short of the hour mark. With Louis-Rae Beadle replacing Yaku, Dave Tarpey was pushed up along side Hodges.

These two started to cause the home defence some problems, with Worner having to come smartly off his line to foil Hodges, when put through by Tarpey. Hodges then set up his strike partner, with a chest lay off, but Tarpey’s effort was just too high.

With 20 minutes to go Alan Devonshire was forced to make another change. Luke Kanjor replaced the limping Inman.

This meant shuffle of formation and a 3rd strike partner for Ian Hodges, with Dundas moving up along side him. 3 minutes later the Beavers found themselves 2 down when Moone converted from close range.

Dev then sent on Leon Yarnie to replace the hard working Dundas as the Beavers fought bravely to get something out of the game.

Kanjor latched onto a loose ball about 40yards out and hit a goal bound shot, but it was straight at Worner. 4 minutes after his introduction, Yarnie was on hand to tap the ball home after Worner was unable to hold Hodges’ effort from 14 yards. 2 – 1 with 7 minutes remaining, could the Beavers snatch a point.

As time was running out Wells came forward to take a long throw. Woking cleared their lines and found Pinney, wide right, on the halfway line.

He sped towards the Hampton goal beating two defenders in the process before planting the ball beyond Lovett. A goal to grace any contest, had decided this one.

So the final whistle saw the Beavers slump to their knees following a terrific effort against a fine Woking side, who may yet sneak into a play off spot. Beadle and Kanjor both gained some more 1st team minutes which can only be good for the future.