Hampson also the hero.
After last Saturday's disappointing result and performance, the Crows knew they needed to banish that game, not just from their own memories, but from those of their fans as well, as they prepared to face the other new boys to the SCEFL, after playing at Hollands & Blair FC recently, AFC Croydon Athletic FC.
The Crows have had to miss quite a few players this season due to injuries and absenteeism however, they were able to welcome back some of those players for this game with Ryan Hinkson, Ryan Waterman, Scott Treleaven and Kevin Everest now in the match-day squad.
After making a very good debut last week, Jason Hollick made his home debut and was put under pressure, with his fellow defenders, early on as the away side started brightly, their two wide players, Josh Smith and the impressively named, Raheem Stirling-Parker very active down the flanks.
The first half proved to be an even affair with chances coming and going at both ends, Ridley and Treleaven both went close, Sterling-Parker thought he should have been awarded a penalty, referee Heron deciding otherwise and after 18 minutes the referee infuriated the away side even more, Fleming seeing yellow after he brought down the impressive Shea, who had a good game throughout.
Both goalkeepers had good games, Hampson for the Crows, Burnett for the visitors, Carrington on more than one occasion being thwarted by the AFC Croydon stopper, as was Trelaven and Ridley, whilst Hampson had to make a great save from Penfold to prevent the away side going in at the break 1-0 up.
The second half was played at a furious pace with both sides taking it in turns to attack each other, Shea, Carrington, Treleaven and Ridley all having chances to make the breakthrough for the Crows whilst Hampson had to make vital saves at various times, Penfold was always a threat however, the closest any one came to scoring for the away side was Stirling-Parker, who hit the angle of post and bar with a great effort.
With both teams trying to find the magic formula which would give them the lead, the away side were the first to make substitutions, Jansen and Martin going off in the 65th minute to be replaced by Henry and Ward.
The Crows then felt it was their turn to shuffle the pack, the hard working Carrington being replaced by Biddlecombe in the 75th minute, the away side responded by replacing Stirling-Parker with Wilson in the 79th minute and it was the Crows turn again then, Hinkson replacing Funnell in the 83rd minute.
An alert throw-in by Treleaven led to Burnett having to make a good save from Biddlecombe and then in the 88th minute and with time running out, Shea went off and Waterman came on as the home side searched for that vital goal that would give them their first league win of the season.
It became attack against defence as time ticked on, the Crows camped in the away sides half of the pitch and the pressure finally paid off, a succession of blocks and tackles led to the ball looping in the air for Treleaven to hit a wonderful volley from the edge of the area which flew past Burnett and his defenders and into the net.
The delight on the faces of the Crows players, management team and supporters was there for all to see, as was the dejection and disappointment of the away side in conceding the winner so late in the game.
However, AFC Croydon played their part in a good game and without doubt, had both goalkeepers not had such blinding games, then it would have been a more high scoring match. Hampson was rightly given the MOM award for the home side because had he not pulled off at least three great saves it may have been the away side that went home celebrating and with the points.