MARK Harper believes Saturday's barnstorming display against Chelmsford in the FA Trophy is the end of Hampton & Richmond Borough's recent blip.
Having started the season like a house on fire and topping the early Ryman Premier standings, the Beavers have fallen away in recent weeks.
But on Saturday they dominated Blue Square South high-fliers Chelmsford and were unlucky not to put them out, instead settling for a 1-1 draw.
Boss Harper said: “We always looked at this month as a key one. Some of the teams we thought we could pick up points against and others we thought we would struggle against.
“We've been on a bit of a blip since since we were beaten by Wealdstone after being 2-0 up, and we've never really recovered from that
“But credit to the boys, they raised their games on Saturday. It was like being back to our old selves and we showed what we are capable of – now we need to keep it going.”
Monday's replay in Essex was rained off and will now be played this Monday, as long as Chelmsford don't require a replay for their FA Cup tie against Crawley.
In the meantime, the winner of this tie have been drawn away at former Football League side Hereford United in the next round, where Hampton lost 4-0 in the 2002 FA Trophy.
Harper added: “We were looking forward to Monday, but as long as we go into Saturday's game against Margate with the same spirit and intensity, that will keep the momentum going.
“Chelmsford will also be coming off the back of a big FA Cup game against Crawley, which could work in our favour.
“It's a fine prospect being drawn against a big club like Hereford, but at the moment we're just concentrating on Margate, and then the Chelmsford replay.”
Meanwhile, with Brentford not in action on Saturday, any Bees fans wanting to see the Margate game can get in half price with Brentford season ticket or BIAS and Bees United membership cards.
