Late Hamp double secures superb win for Racing Club Warwick at Bishop’s Stortford

Warwick looked in control after establishing a two-goal first-half advantage, but the hosts fought back after the break to level the contest.

However, the Racers showed tremendous character to respond, with Hamp striking twice in three minutes in the closing stages to secure all three points.

Both sides enjoyed spells of possession in an evenly contested opening wirh Racers going ahead after 18 minutes.

Following a corner that was initially cleared, the ball fell to Rhys Hilton, who delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, captain Kyle Barnett rose to meet the delivery and head home.

The hosts looked for an immediate response and Tom Allsopp had to make two exceellent saves.

Despite the pressure, Warwick doubled their advantage in the 35th minute following another well-worked attacking move.

Good play down the right saw Rhys Hilton find Ryan Moore, who delivered a first-time cross towards the back post.

Aaron Opoku headed the ball down into a crowded penalty area, where a scramble followed before James Hancocks reacted quickest to slot home and make it 2–0.

Warwick almost added a third just two minutes later. Jude Collins raced down the wing and managed to knock the ball around the advancing goalkeeper, but his effort went narrowly wide.

The visitors continued to threaten, and in the 44th minute another flowing move saw the ball worked out to Hilton, whose cross picked out Alex Worley at the back post. However, the defender was unable to direct his header towards goal.

Warwick headed into the interval with a deserved two-goal advantage, having shown a clinical edge in front of goal while also relying on some important saves from Allsopp.

Bishop’s Stortford emerged after the restart determined to get themselves back into the contest and pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute to reduce the deficit as Baker and Smith swapped passes, with the Montserrat international getting the ball out of his feet and finding the top right corner from 20 yards.

Warwick responded positively to the setback and in the 56th minute, drove forward through an attacking move that ended with a shot taking a deflection and going behind for a corner.

The Racers made their first change in the 62nd minute, with Ethan Hill replacing Miro Pais, before Hamp was introduced for James Hancocks in the 66th minute.

However, the hosts continued to press and their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when Wellens found an equaliser, sidefooting a Powell cross in at the near post to set up a tense final period.

Bishop’s Stortford almost completed the turnaround in the 79th minute when a home player drove directly towards the Warwick penalty area, beat Kyle Barnett and fired an effort over the crossbar.

With the game finely balanced and both sides pushing for a winner, Racers produced a stunning finish to the contest.

In the 88th minute, Warwick won a corner and Hamp rose to power home a header to restore the visitors' lead at 3-2.

And the drama wasn't finished there with Thompson dismissed for Stortford for a second booking and then, in the first minute of added time, Cameron Ebbutt delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area and Hamp was once again in the right place, meeting the ball with his head and directing his effort into the far corner to complete a remarkable late winning double.

RACERS: Allsopp, Moore, Worley, Walker, Barnett, Timson, Hilton (Williams 76), Hancocks (Hamp 66), Opoku, Pais (Hill 62), Jude Collins (Ebbutt 87). SUB NOT USED: Keene, Kai Williams.