Hampton & Richmond Borough`s second appearance in the end of season play-offs saw win 3-1 at Chelmsford City in the first leg of the semi-final on Tuesday night.

The victory gives them a two-goal advantage going into the second leg - away goals do not count double in the play-offs.

It was a lively combative game, ably refereed by Ian Crouch. Chelmsford collected five bookings and a sending off, Hampton four cautions, two to Ian Hodges.

A brace of goals from striker Lawrence Yaku and one from Hodges should be enough to see the Beavers into their second successive play off final, the likely opponents, third placed Eastleigh, who won 4-2 at Hayes & Yeading.

Hampton`s line–up was much as expected with rested players restored to the team.

The first half ebbed back and forth, Matt Lovett kept busy getting dangerous crosses away but in the 13th minute Stuart Lake had a header kicked off the line.

Minutes later Chelmsford keeper Danny Gay mishandled a shot from Yaku for a corner, Stuart Lake then shot wide of the target.

Chelmsford then won three corners in succession but were not able to threaten Hampton`s goal. Dean Wells drove a 22 yard free kick against the defensive wall in the 33rd minute.

Two minutes later Chelmsford`s Ricky Holmes was booked for simulation – diving.

A minute before half time Yaku`s pace took him past the home defence and he struck the ball past Gay to give the Beavers a 1-0 advantage at half time.

For much of the second half it was a case of when would Hampton score again. The Chelmsford defence was panicking every time Yaku got the ball, his pace and control were causing them serious problems.

Five minutes into the half Yaku struck again chipping the ball over the defender and keeper, the ball seemed to be in the air an age before it came down into the back of the net – in reality it was only a second or two.

Yaku almost scored a third before David Rainsford pulled a goal back for the home side in the 59th minute.

Twenty minutes later Chelmsford were down to ten men as Rainford was sent off for an off the ball incident, spotted by one of the Assistant Referees.

A minute later Hodges made it 3-1 as he hooked the ball home from close range as once again the Chelmsford defence was opened up. Hodges, tugged his shirt over his head in celebration – didn`t take it off, but that doesn`t matter, its still an offence – and was booked, silly boy.

Twice more in the dying minutes Hampton went close to a fourth, a low driven cross from Ryan Lake was cleared off the line and then Gay turned an effort from Shaun McAuley onto the angle of upright and cross bar for a corner.

In the last minute Hodges received his second yellow when he chased back and tugged a shirt, thereby ensuring that he misses the second leg.

The second leg is at Beveree Stadium, this Saturday, with a 3pm kick-off.

The tie is there for Hampton to win through on Saturday and host the final on Thursday 7th May, providing they keep their focus.

Cautions ; Marcello Fernandes, Francis Quarm & Ian Hodges (2) Man of the Match ; Lawrence Yaku Team Line-up;- Matt Lovett; Graham Harper, Marcello Fernandes, Orlando Jeffrey, Shaun McAuley, Dean Wells, Stuart Lake, Francis Quarm. Ian Hodges, Lawrence Yaku (Kieran Knight, 82), Barrie Matthews (Ryan Lake, 86).

Subs not used ; Nana Badu, Elliott Brathwaite & Steve Tyson.