Sutton United 1, Hampton & Richmond Boro 0

HAMPTON were dealt a double blow by Sutton's Mark Watson in their opening Ryman League game on Saturday when he accidently crocked new midfielder Billy Mead and then scored a fluky winner.

Mead, one of nine debutants to start for Hampton, lasted only 18 minutes due to a knee injury suffered in clash with Watson.

Ian McDonald's team were then beaten by a 30th minute goal by Watson, celebrating the start of his third spell with Sutton. A free-kick by Danny Bolt went in off Watson's chest, with the Hampton defence caught flat-footed.

Hampton also gave league baptisms to Andy Iga, Gary McCracken, Dean Berry, Chris Rose, Ashley Stestanovich, Dave Cross, Lee Riddell and Dean Thomas.

The most impressive were Berry, Rose and Stestanovich, who twice went close to scoring, while Aidan O'Brien brought a fine save from keeper Tom Dunn with a header. Dean Thomas wasted a good opening and was later booked for a foul.

Hampton: Iga, Berry, Rose, McCracken, O'Brien, Mead (Payne, 18), Cross, Stestanovich, Riddell, Thomas (Cory, 66), Yhdego (Pittwood, 72). Subs: Bouchez, Cory, Payne, Ferris, Pittwood.

Hampton & Richmond 1, Hayes 1

HAMPTON gained their first point of the season against likely title challengers Hayes on Tuesday when they equalised through a 69th minute Ashley Sestanovich special'.

Hayes had gone ahead in the 10th minute, with David Warner heading home after ghosting in between Aidren O'Brian and Ronnie Girvin, recalled in place of Dean Thomas.

Keeper Andy Iga then earned applause from the 440 crowd by making two superb saves to prevent Hayes increasing their lead.

Hampton had their moments, with Eseyas Yhdego's shot hitting the post and rolling across the line, while Sestanovich and Lee Riddell also went close to beating keeper O'Connor.

In the space of two minutes both teams had a player carried off. After 60 minutes David Warner was stretchered off and on 62 minutes Hampton skipper Billy Mead was in the careful hands of the St Johns Ambulance brigade.

Then on 69 minutes the Beavers grabbed an equaliser from nothing. Sestanovich picked the ball up in midfield, ran to the edge of the box D' and with the outside of his boot curled in the first competitive goal of Ian McDonald's reign.

Hampton; Andy Iga, Dean Berry, Ronnie Girvan, Gary McCracken, Aiden O'Brien, Billy Mead (Dean Thomas, 62), David Cross, Chris Rose, Lee Riddell, Ashley Sestanovich, Eseyas Yhdego. Subs not used: Chris Bouchez, Chris Payne, Ben Ferris, Adam Pittwood.

This Saturday Hampton are at home to Purfleet (3pm) and are away to Chesham United on Monday (3pm). Billy Mead, Ben Proudfoot and Jason Lay should be recovered from injury to be considered.

Hampton women impressed in Sunday's friendly despite losing 3-2 to Merton, who played in the Greater London League Division Three - one division above Hampton.

Manager Ian Skull looked at 17 players in a game played over four periods of 20 minutes. The scorers for Hampton were Michelle Yeowell and Louise Williams.

The girls continue their friendly fixtures with a trip to Division One side Viking Sports this Sunday (2pm).