For their last game of the season on Satur-day, Heybridge made their first ever visit to Hampton with the home side needing a win to guarantee their own Ryman League Premier Division status for next season.
Swifts were without Tony Adcock, who had flu so his younger brother Wayne was joined up front by Christian McClean with Chris Heasman given a place on the substitute's bench.
In the first minute a good build up from Heybridge finished with Alex Fiddes' cross being headed over from Nicky Simpson.
Play was then held up for three minutes when the referee required treatment having twisted his ankle on the bumpy pitch.
In the seventh minute a long ball forward was flicked on by McClean and Adcock set up a good chance for Fiddes who lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Russell but also the bar.
Heybridge continued to dominate the opening exchanges and won a free kick just outside the box.
Adcock back heeled the ball kick into the path of Ben Lewis who drove a shot that forced a full length save from Russell.
After the initial burst from Swifts, the home side with more to play for forced their way back into the game but their first goal still came somewhat out of the blue when Gardner let fly from 30 yards with a shot that flew over Kingsley Banks and into the net.
Just before the break it was 2-0 when Hampton broke down the left and Buglione shot the ball home
Swifts manager Robbie Nihill gave his players a stiff talking to at the break and his side showed a bit of spirit early in the second half and Banks made an outstanding double save from Cheshire.
Hampton were not to be denied and in the 76th minute Blake added the third goal and then Gardner netted a fourth to seal a good win leaving Swifts fairly devasted.
Heybridge Swifts : Banks, Cranfield, Cutbush, English, Lewis, W. Adcock, Simpson (Heasman), Gillespie (Parker), Streetley, McClean, Adcock and Fiddes. Substitute unused: Marshall.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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