Hampton & Richmond vs Crowborough Athletic - FA Cup

The FA Cup returns to the home ground on September 19, 2026, where Hampton & Richmond and Crowborough Athletic will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Enzo Maresca verdict on Michael Carrick and Manchester United fixture issue - 'you need to adapt'.

Both Hampton & Richmond and Crowborough Athletic will be eager to build momentum when they meet in FA Cup. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. Crowborough Athletic's away form is hard to read, but they will arrive with the belief that they can trouble their hosts. The midfielder faces a significant period on the sidelines after being stretchered off during Uruguay's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the recent FIFA World Cup.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Hampton & Richmond will look to impose their style on home soil, while Crowborough Athletic are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. His passing display at the World Cup was yet more evidence of his suitability for City and the possession-heavy style Maresca favours.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson says he would be worried by Roberto De Zerbi's post-match comments criticising Spurs' forward players and medical staff.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. Whatever the outcome, the FA Cup fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.