They were calling it ‘El Tudorco’ – English football’s newest rivalry – online, such was the magnitude of the task at hand for Hampton & Richmond against fellow play-off hopefuls Hemel Hempstead.
Or perhaps simply because Henry VIII features on their badge and his old manor was not much further down the road than the Beveree.
Or, in the words of the Beavers’ social media team, “to help us shift some matchday tickets”. Fair enough.
Hampton & Richmond hadn’t won for five matches, and the tension could be felt in the air, seen in the warm up, and even heard at kickoff.
The situation was simple: win the game or run the risk of losing ground on the top six in National League South.
After such an electrifying start to the season, they’d certainly regret not making the most of it.
But Hemel wouldn’t be pushovers and meant business – their intense carousel-style warm up around their fitness coach just short of the start made that clear.
Who knows, it might’ve been in tribute to the town’s iconic Plough Roundabout (Google it).
If that didn’t signal Hemel’s intent to win this crucial fixture, then full-back Devante Stanley almost ploughing straight into a photographer behind the Beavers’ net in the seventh minute while sliding over the damp surface to keep the ball in play definitely did.
This game was starting to justify the rather loose term ‘El Tudorco’.
And a goal! – or they thought. A quite brilliant touch and through ball over the top by Beavers skipper Harry Thomas was poked home by Soul Kader, only for the dastardly offside flag to rear its ugly head and bring play back.
Then a mishap. Goalkeeper James Holden skewed his kick, clearing it straight to the feet of Hemel’s captain Kyle Ajayi, who thought to himself “Thank you very much”, followed by “Return to – and over – sender”.
Hampton & Richmond were a goal behind but not out of it, and they were almost level half an hour in.
First it was the offside flag, and now the left post as Kader’s curling effort left Hemel’s keeper rooted to the spot, only to cruelly rebound back out and leave the Beavers trailing at the break.
The players could perhaps source some inspiration for a turnaround from the main Pirates of the Caribbean theme booming around the ground as they returned for the second half.
It’s a tough gig escaping Davy Jones’ locker, known otherwise as the Enterprise National League South, and the Beavers would soon be winless in six – their hope of keeping in touch with the teams nearer the top diminishing game by game, minute by minute.
It was nearly two for Hemel, only for Holden to stand tall and thwart winger Mathew Achuba one-on-one.
It was getting frantic. Think back to that Manchester United game against Liverpool in the FA Cup last year. The 4-3. A bit like that.
Yet for just how quick the game was approaching the end, time seemed to stand still for a moment and Holden was powerless to stop Millar Matthews-Lewis’ deflected effort, looping high over his head and sneaking just under the bar.
The Beavers now needed a goal to stand a chance of earning one point, never mind three.
Strong tackles were flying in all throughout the second half as both sets of players knew what was at stake.
Maybe there was something more to this rivalry than it being an entirely manufactured marketing strategy to sell more tickets after all.
The home supporters were starting to think it might not be their day when Kai Willard-Innocent hit the post after the keeper thought of coming and was caught in two minds, leaving nearly half of his goal gaping.
Then came a roar that could be heard from the neighbouring back gardens, one of which received a free football not long before.
What on earth was it? A penalty.
Super substitute Ronan Silva was brought down in the box after a mazy run inside from the left and stepped up to face Hemel goalkeeper Michael Johnson from the resulting spot kick.
The net bulges. Game on.
For about two minutes.
Another penalty, this time at the other end.
Holden had brought down the Hemel attacker, and it looked like he knew it with his face pressed mournfully against the turf.
But it was the home crowd that broke into raptures. Joe White had skewed it horribly wide.
Then a high ball over the top. Hemel’s keeper Johnson collected, followed by uproar.
Did he handle the ball outside the box? Didn’t he? The referee thought not, losing him a few friends in the home end.
That included the home side’s commentator calling desperately for a VAR intervention for some reason.
You could taste the desperation in the air, and it had a bitter aftertaste as the full-time whistle sounded.
At least Hampton & Richmond were still in the top half of the table. Every cloud has a silver lining, and all that.
Hemel, strengthening their top-six claims, had won the first ever edition of ‘El Tudorco’ 2-1, the newest derby gracing English football.
If this story has convinced you to start calling it, that is.
Feature image: James Bools
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