Beavers progress to cup semis (From Your Local Guardian)

Beavers progress to cup semis

3:58pm Friday 24th February 2012 in Blue Square Conference South By Rob Overfield

Hampton & Richmond Borough striekr Dave Tarpey kept up his cup scoring record as his brace handed the Beavers a narrow 3-2 quarter final win over Bedfont Town in the Middlesex Senior Cup this week.

New signing Neil Jenkins was brought in for his debut, Billy Jeffreys came in for Darren Powell, Esmond James slipped back into midfield in place of Nathan Collier and Charlie Moone started up front.

Bedfont started the brighter, with ex-Beaver Sean Lucien making threatening runs at the Beavers defence on the first 15 minutes but against the run of play, Charlie Moone opened the scoring for the Beavers. James Simmonds found Dave Tarpey in the box; lacking space to shoot, he found Moone, whose shot on the turn found its way past Bedfont keeper Gary Ross.

Fifteen minutes later, Moone turned provider as his cross from the right found its way to Tarpey, his shot took a big deflection and bounced past Ross for his 19th goal of the season.

At half time, the Beavers held the advantage but just 10 minutes into the second half, Bedfont scored their deserved goal as Jacobs bent a free kick from 20 yards past Craig Ross.

The game as still in the balance, but Tarpey restored the Beavers two goal lead with a goal that sums up the player; chasing a ball lifted over the defence, he beat keeper Gary Ross to the bouncing ball, and held off two defenders to slide the ball into the net.

Bedfont refused to give up and an O'Sullivan header on the run from 8 yards beat Ross convincingly just three minutes later.

In the last 20 minutes, both teams tried to make a decisive chance but the Beavers held on to set up a semi final meeting at the Beveree against Hendon.