A desperately dry and bobbly Cricklefields pitch did nothing to help either side in an end to end first half. Hampton and Richmond Borough had the pick of the first half chances with James Simmons and Borough’s man of the moment, Charlie Moone, spurning several chances on goal.

Waltham Forest started the second half the brightest with Luke Stanley and Joel Palmer coming close, but with Borough defender Darren Powell rolling back the years in his second spell at Borough, Forest found a breakthrough impossible.

At the other end Borough’s tricky right winger Gary Holloway missed a penalty and Forest keeper Aaron Omand was on top form to stop Charlie Moone twice from close range.

The breakthrough for Borough came with five minutes to go as Moone latched on to a long ball over the top and hit it first time into the bottom corner of the Forest net.

Forest competed until to the end proving that league tables mean nothing in the FA Cup, but it was Hampton and Richmond Borough who ran out winners in this hard fought encounter ending Waltham Forest’s road to Wembley.

Report by Nick Wiley:

Forest faced a tough challenge in the FA cup after being drawn against Hampton and Richmond. The Beavers have been on good form this season and sit second in the Isthmian League Premier Division, following their relegation from the Conference South last season.

Early exchanges in the match gave a preview of what was to follow. The poor pitch condition leading to a scrappy midfield fight for possession. Then, just minutes in, Forest conceded an inconspicuous free kick from all of forty yards out. The Hampton skipper Jenkins tried his luck and his shot rattled the underside of the crossbar. Moments later it was Forest’s turn as a mistake from the Hampton right back gave Joel Palmer a half chance, but his shot was deflected wide for Forest’s first corner of the game.

Hampton began to assert their dominance on the match, but the Forest back four stood firm to the challenge, preventing the Beavers from creating any real chances. Aaron Omand seemed to have taken well to his wake up call from Jenkins and the keeper was in fine form rushing off his line to punch and collect crosses on numerous occasions. Although on the back foot, Forest looked threatening at times. Clever footwork from Corey Whitely and a speedy Manu Dagher kept the Hampton defence on their toes as Forest looked to capitalise on the break. With the half petering out into a game of long balls and head tennis much of the vocal away support slipped away to their half time pies.

If the first half had lacked action the beginning of the second half went some way for making up for it. Just minutes in, Forest conceded a penalty after a foul on Hamptons Joe Benjamin. Up stood a nervous looking Darren Powell. After taking what seemed an age to place the ball on the spot the Hamptons number six sent his kick well wide. It was another let off for Forest, but it seemed to spur them on. Adrian Clifton looked in form and Dagher continued to trouble the Beavers back line, taking on defender whenever given the chance.

The feeling that there would be a decisive goal grew amongst the crowd as the game began to open up. Despite the best efforts of an animated Olawale Ojelabi on the touchline, Hampton always looked more dangerous. A through ball from Dean Inman presented Charlie Moone with a chance on goal but his shot flew past the post. Moments later a searching ball into Forest’s box saw Moone flash a header just wide. The Hampton number nine was really beginning to look like a threat.

Hampton continued to play long searching balls into the Waltham half. Then a great chance fell to Moone. Inside the box the striker turned his man and fired a shot that looked destined for the top corner. Omand produced a fine save turning the ball onto the post before saving the rebound and smothering the ball.

Moments later the Forest keeper was called into action again, a through ball found Karle Carder clear on goal. As Carder touch took the ball into the box the Forest keeper was quick off his line, closing down the angle and stopping what looked like a certain goal. The Forest defence was on its last legs and eventually the pressure took its toll. A route one ball found Charlie Moone, a good touch brought the ball under control and his smart finish in the bottom corner was decisive blow.

Forest were unlucky not to take the game to a replay and will be disappointed that their cup run has come to an end. However manager Ojelabi can be proud of a brave, organised performance against a strong Hampton and Richmond side.