There is life after Ben Wright at Hampton & Richmond Borough, insists keeper Matt Lovett.

The Beavers have not looked back since their young striker left for Peterborough two weeks ago, beating Thurrock and Bromley to make it four wins in five games since the turn of the year.

During that time, Lovett has conceded just one goal in 450 minutes of football, and this week landed the Blue Square South Player of the Month award.

And the former Staines custodian reckons, even without Wright, last season's losing playoff finalists can go one further this time.

He said: "I think, if anything, we're stronger than last season.

"Everyone thought we lost our two best players (Alan Inns and Elliott Godfrey), but that's not the case. We've kept a solid base and moved forward.

"We've now lost Ben Wright as well, and good luck to him.

"But to be honest, he wasn't even getting into the side at the start of the season.

"And we've still got the likes of Lawrence Yaku and Ian Hodges, who will each get you 15-20 goals a season."

However, it's at the back that Hampton are building the foundations for their success.

But modest Lovett insists its about more than just his clean sheets.

He said: "It's the whole defensive unit which deserves credit really.

"It's been solid not just over the last month, but over the past 13 or 14 games."

Hampton now have a hectic week, hosting Fisher Athletic on Saturday, then Welling United on Tuesday at Beveree.

But with last Saturday's game at Newport County being called off, Lovett isn't complaining about the fixtures coming thick and fast.

He added: "The way we're playing at the moment, we just want to get games on, and we don't want a back-lo g bu ilding up."

Meanwhile, Lovett has tipped his former Staines Town teammates to join the Beavers in Blue Square South.

With Hampton's game at Newport called off last Saturday, Lovett went to Wheatsheaf Park to watch Staines beat Ryman Premier play-off rivals Sutton United 3-1, thanks to goals from Howard Newton, Scott Taylor and Leroy Griffiths.

Second-placed Staines still trail leaders Dover by a mammoth 26 points, but have five games in hand.

However, Lovett reckons his old side, who like Hampton were losing play-off finalists last season, will go one better this season.

He said: "They're looking good and have some quality forwards, that's where their strength is.

"Dover might be running away with, but Staines are definitely the second-strongest team in that league and should come up."