17th September - AFC Dunstable 1 Hampton and Richmond Borough 7 (FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round)

AFC Dunstable's thoughts of making history and progressing to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, was well and truly scuppered by a ruthless and excellent Hampton side.

Apart from being drawn against the leaders of the National League South in Maidenhead, AFC could not have had a tougher draw in the shape of Hampton & Richmond at this stage of the competition, as they currently occupy 2nd place in that league.

Knowing they would have to be at their very best to get anything from the tie, AFC did not help themselves by gifting Hampton their two opening goals in the first 10 minutes. Nathan Collier opened the scoring on 8 minutes and two minutes later Jamal Lowe had doubled their lead.

The hosts seemed to settle down and did not concede again until the 33rd minute. Again though, Hampton seemed to score at will and 5 minutes later it was 4-0. The pace of the forward men in red was something the AFC defence have never faced and hope they never will again this season.

With half time approaching, AFC pulled a goal back when Terry Griffiths headed home a Jack Waldren corner. This was scant reward, as what was to follow immediately after the break.

Half time: AFC Dunstable 1 Hampton & Richmond 4

Within 10 minutes of the re-start the visitors had struck 3 more times. Goals from Manny Williams (48), Tom Jelley (52) and Michael Kamara (55) seemed to suggest AFC were looking at conceding double figures with over half an hour to go.

The one shinning light was that AFC knuckled down and amazingly did not concede further goals. More good news was the sight of Newman Carney and Moses Olaleye making 2nd half appearances after their long lay offs due to injury.

AFC boss Steve Heath was in a reflected mood at the final whistle saying " while everyone was very angry at the result, you have to put into perspective what a superb team we have just faced. We have never come across a forward line like that in the past and they forced us into making mistakes"

He continued " I had a long chat with Sky's Martyn Tyler, who is one of their coaches, and he was complimentary about us. He said their performance was no fluke. They knew everything about us and the players we were missing. They worked on our weaknesses and executed them to plan. I must now pick up the players, as they feel very low at the moment. On the positive side, Newman and Moses came through unscathed and both got over 25 minutes. I also thought I would reward young Joe Hankins with an appearance. Not everyone at 17 can say they have played in the FA Cup"

Team: Perks. Massay. Murphy. Beck. Griffiths. Mannion (Olaleye 70). Waldren (N.Carney 65). Cox. Hall (Hankins 80). Humbert. B.Carney.

Subs not used. Byron. Bailey. Kissiedu. Silford

Scorer: Griffiths (44)

Attendance 173