It’s Devon Day at Plainmoor tomorrow as Hampton & Richmond visit the English Riviera.
United will be looking to get back on the winning track here at Plainmoor on Devon Day, but face a tough test against Play-Off chasing Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Who’s the Boss?
Mel Gwinnett was appointed as the Beavers First Team Manager and Head of Football Operations back in January 2023. His role sees him take charge of first team responsibilities, but as Head of Football Operations, Gwinnett is also involved in the design, development and embedding of the side’s operating model.
Prior to arriving at the Beveree Stadium in January, Gwinnett had enjoyed a stint at Barnet as First Team Head Coach. Upon his departure to take the helm at Hampton, the former goalkeeper was praised by the Bees for having played a pivotal role in the impressive form of goalkeeper Laurie Walker, as well as playing an integral part in analysing, match preparation and player development.
As a player, the now 60-year-old, played as a goalkeeper with his clubs including the likes of Peterborough United, Hereford United, Gloucester City, Bradford City, Exeter City, Colchester United, Preston North End, Yeovil Town, and Weymouth.
Upon retiring from his playing career, Gwinnett returned to Exeter City, initially as Youth Football Director and then became Goalkeeper Coach prior to a spell as First Team Coach. He worked alongside Paul Tisdale at MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Stevenage, before moving on to Barnet.
How have they been doing?
Since United’s 3-1 defeat at the Beveree Stadium back at the end of October, Hampton remained undefeated for their next ten league games, which included six wins and four draws before a 3-1 defeat at Braintree Town at the start of 2024 ended this run. Two more defeats at home to Chelmsford (0-1) and then away at Welling (2-1) followed, but the ten games after the defeat to the Wings has brought only one defeat (Aveley 0-1), and yielded six wins.
Last time out the Beavers drew 1-1 at home to an improving Welling United on Tuesday night, meaning they come into todays game in 4th position with a record of 19 wins, ten draws and nine defeats with 67 points from their 38 games played.
Player to Watch
Jake Gray came through the youth ranks at Crystal Palace, signing his first professional contract at Selhurst Park in 2013, though he never made a first team appearance for the club spending time on loan at Cheltenham Town and the Hartlepool United.
Upon his departure from the Eagles, Gray joined then League Two Luton Town for one season before signing on for two years at Yeovil Town in 2017. August 2019 saw the midfielder join Woking, but he couldn’t hold down a regular spot and spent two separate loan spells at Hampton & Richmond, which was then turned into a permanent move following his release from the Cards at the end of the 2019/20 season
Played for Both
Tope Fadahunsi came through the youth system at both Watford & Tooting & Mitcham, before going on to sign a two year contract at the London club in 2017. In 2019 the striker joined Finnish club PS Kemi as a right back, before he went to study at Loughborough University, playing for the University first team between 2019 and 2022.
July 2022 saw the 24 year old join League Two Sutton United, with his loan spell here at United coming in January 2023, where he scored two goals in eleven league appearances. Despite playing games for Sutton this season Fadahunsi was loaned out to Hampton & Richmond in January, initially for a month, which has been extended and sees him remain at the Beveree Stadium.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2 – 2 Hampton & Richmond, Saturday 15th October 2022, Emirates FA Cup 4Q.
United battled back from two goals behind to keep their FA Cup hopes alive at Plainmoor.
Temi Babalola’s first-half effort gave The Beavers a first-half advantage, and when that was doubled in the latter stages by Jake Gray, things looked bleak on a sunny day in the English Riviera. Gary Johnson’s men summoned up all their reserves of spirit though, and eventually salvaged a replay thanks to goals from Brett McGavin and Shaun Donnellan.
United went on to win the replay 2-1 at the Beveree Stadium despite being down to 10 men in the second half, thanks to goals from Dean Moxey and Aaron Jarvis.
Vanarama National League South | Torquay United v Hampton & Richmond | 23/03/24 | KO: 3pm | Tickets | Official TUFC Radio