FORMER England goalkeeper Steve Farrelly is set to quit

Hampton a month after joining them to sign for his old boss Geoff Chapple at Woking.

But Hampton boss Ian McDonald, who was Chapple's assistant at Kingstonian when Farrelly was there, says there will be no hard feelings if Farrelly goes.

McDonald revealed: "Ian is having a trial with Woking with a view to joining them. He has gone there with my blessing because they can offer him a better deal and he will stand a better chance of regaining his England place if he stays in the Conference where he played for Farnborough last season until he fell out with their manager Graham Westley."

McDonald added: "I would be happy to make our other new keeper Andy Iga, who was formerly with Millwall and Watford, our No. 1 choice. We have also signed Chris Bouchez from Tooting and Mitcham as goalkeeping cover."

Hampton have also snapped up striker Lee Riddell from Farnborough after his two-goal display in last Saturday's friendly away to Worthing, who grabbed a 3-3 draw with a last-minute equaliser.

McDonald has failed to get four of the men he wanted Eddie Saunders, Richard Thompson, Eddie Akuamoah and Dean Thomas, all of whom were with him at his old club Kingstonian.

But striker Thomas, who has been on trial with Blackpool this week, could still come to Hampton if he does not join the seasiders.

Meanwhile, Hampton are set to sign ex-Walton forward Dave Cory, ex-Basingstoke midfielder Chris Payne and Northern Ireland Under 19 youth international Gary McCracken, a centre-half from Linfield.

Defender Aiden O'Brien is likely to rejoin Hampton after a brief spell with Aylesbury United. All impressed in the draw with Worthing.

Hampton led 3-1 until a rush of blood by French keeper Medi Mehamha, who they borrowed from Woking, presented the home side with a needless penalty to put them back in the game. Mehamha came on as a half-time substitute because Bouchez was suffering from a hamstring problem.

A crowd of 180 saw Worthing take the lead through Mark Knee, but Hampton stormed back with two goals from Riddell, the second a penalty for a foul on Dudley Gardner, and substitute Adam Pittwood added a third in the 53rd minute.

Worthing replied with a penalty by Paul Kennett and Steve Sergeant's leveller in the dying seconds.

Hampton's first-half team: Chris Bouchez; Sean Franklin, Ronnie Girvan, Aiden O'Brien, Gary McCracken, Billy Mead, Dudley Gardner, Dave Cory, Lee Riddell, Ashley Sestanovich, Eysias Yhdego.

Second-half team: Medi Mehamha, Chris Payne (McCracken), Girvan, O'Brien, Ben Ferris, Billy Mead (Franklin,73), David Cross, Adam Pittwood, Riddell (Cory,67), Alan Innes, Eysias Yhdego (Sestanovich,73).

At the fourth time of asking the Beavers notched up their first win of the pre-season with a 3-1 success at Burnham on Tuesday.

They fell behind to a penalty by Terry Mitchell, but Mitchell then lashed out to be sent to the bench for 10 minutes and concede a penalty from which Lee Riddell equalised.

Further Hampton goals came from Dave Corry and the lively Riddell.

Hampton, first-half: Andrew Iga; Kojo O'Hearn, Ronnie Girvan, Gary McCracken, Aiden O'Brien, Billy Mead, Chris Rose, Dave Corry, Lee Riddell, Ashley Sestanovich, Eysis Yhdego.

Second-half: Andrew Iga (Chris Bouchez,60); Dean Berry, Ronnie Girvan (Kojo O'Hearn, 70), Ben Ferris, Aiden O'Brien (Gary McCracken, 68), Alan Inns, David Cross, Adam Pittwood, Paul de Luca, Ashley Sestanovich (Billy Mead, 68), Eysias Yhdego (Chris Rose, 68).

Hampton's Under 18 Youth side lost 3-2 in their opening pre-season friendly.

Hampton will be 'at home' to the press and fans on Tuesday from 7pm onwards. The first team will be in training as will the new women's side and the Under 18s.

This Saturday Hampton are away to Dulwich Hamlet in a friendly (3pm) at Champion Hill. They then start their Ryman League Premier Division fixtures away to Sutton United on Saturday August 17th (3pm).

August 8, 2002 16:31