After a two-week break from league action, we returned to competitive football away against Hampton & Richmond, looking to win and maintain pressure at the top of the table.
The home side were victorious 3–0 in the reverse fixture; however, we started faster this time, retaining the ball and registering the first effort via Brennan Camp, which went over the bar.
Both Paul McCallum and Harry Sidwell were making their competitive debuts for Wanderers against Hampton & Richmond, with McCallum providing a physical presence up front and Sidwell biting into tackles in midfield as they worked their way into the match.
The hosts had suffered a damaging defeat in their last match away at Torquay and soon found themselves behind once again, as we took the lead through Louie Annesley, despite limited chances in the match.
The height and physicality of Paul McCallum allowed the striker to win his header from a corner, before the ball was diverted towards Annesley from close range. The defender made no mistake, lashing the ball home.
McCallum joined Wanderers with an illustrious National League pedigree, boasting a notable goalscoring record, particularly for Eastleigh. However, in the first half it was his long throws that forced openings for Wanderers, creating an opportunity for Patrick Casey in the 34th minute, which was drilled wide, before James McShane curled an effort wide from outside the box.
Our lead was doubled minutes later after a good run from Dennon Lewis found Paul McCallum, who squared the ball towards Patrick Casey, allowing the striker to turn the ball home and continue his good form.
The second half started in a similar manner to the first, as we retained the ball well but with limited chances.
However, the home side nearly found a way back into the match as defender Charlie Sayers struck two efforts towards goal, first hitting the crossbar and then forcing a corner via a Harrison Foulkes save, as the goalkeeper palmed the ball over the bar.
The match grew in intensity during the following exchanges, as both sides looked to land the next blow.
Openings in the second half remained at a premium until we carved out another opportunity near the end of the match, as Jimmy Muitt latched onto a through ball before smashing his effort into the side netting.
A minute later, following an effort from Sam Ashford, we created another opening through substitute Frank Vincent, who started on the front foot and immediately struck an effort on target from range, which was comfortably saved.
Our hosts did improve their performance in the second half; however, they registered a multitude of blocked efforts and failed to test Harrison Foulkes further aside from Sayers’ earlier attempt.
Foulkes was called into action again near the end of the match, as Sam Deadfield diverted an effort over the bar from the edge of the box, before Reece Grego-Cox, who scored a memorable lob in the reverse fixture, struck from range straight into Foulkes’ hands with less success.
We were then able to see out the remaining minutes to secure all three points.
We return to home action next Saturday as we host Chippenham Town, looking to secure another three points.