Hampton & Richmond 1, Sutton United 3

HAMPTON have now completed half their Ryman League fixtures and need a miracle if they are to escape relegation from the Premier Division following their latest defeat by Sutton United on Saturday (writes LES RANCE).

Chick Botley's bottom-of-the-table side have been without a league win since August 31st and have taken only 11 points in 23 games. They now need to produce championship form by taking 40 more points from the remaining 23 games to ensure safety.

At half-time Hampton were level at 1-1 with a Sutton side that had won six league games on the trot and looked capable of beating them. But Sutton over-ran the Beavers in the second half, scoring twice more to move into second place and leave Hampton six points behind next-to-bottom Braintree Town, who they travel to meet this Saturday.

Sutton had taken the lead in the 18th minute with a far post header by Mark Watson, following a corner. Hampton responded seven minutes later with a headed goal of their own from Richard Thompson who converted a fine cross by the fit-again David Cory.

Richard O'Connor, making a return to Hampton, was unlucky with a couple of his trade mark strikes at goal, one bringing a slick save from Andy Pape and another being blocked.

Watson, Sutton`s scorer, was stretchered off with a gashed foot midway through the first half and taken to hospital. With the Sutton physio accompanying Watson, long-time Hampton supporter Geoff Dadswell, who generally assists the girls team, helped out Sutton for the second half.

Hampton keeper Andy Iga made great saves to deny Nick Bailey and Scott Corbett, but was beaten in the 62nd minute by a shot from substitute Eddie Akuamoah.

Eleven minutes later full-back Matt Gray drove in Sutton's third goal from 25 yards.

Hampton: Iga; McCracken, O`Connor (Deegan, 84mins), Houghton, Inns, Cory (Cross,73mins), Okafor (Read, 84mins), Sestanovich, Thompson, Gardner, Riddell. Subs not used: Bouchez, Rose.

Hampton and Richmond youth side`s 10-game winning run came to a crashing end at Ashford Town last week when they lost 5-2.

The Under 18s were already trailing 4-0 at the interval when it was discovered that thieves had broken into their dressing room and possessions taken. Despite this setback, the youngsters got back to 4-2 thanks to Krister Robinson and Martin Ryan, but were finally undone by a fifth Ashford goal.

Hampton must avoid defeat when they visit fellow strugglers Braintree this Saturday. Braintree have lost players and sacked their manager since cutting their budget at the start of the season, but they improved their chances of escaping relegation by winning 2-1 at Grays last Saturday.

Fixtures: Friday (December 20th) Hampton Youth v Molesey Under 18s (7.45pm) in Southern Youth League at Beveree Stadium; Saturday Braintree Town v Hampton (3pm) in Ryman League at Cressing Road, Braintree; Thursday December 26th Hampton v Kingstonian (12 noon); Saturday December 28th Purfleet v Hampton (3pm).