A familiar face came to Paul Barry’s rescue this week to solve his goalkeeping crisis at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

The Beavers lost popular shotstopper Rodney Chiweshe for the forthcoming Ryman Premier League campaign thanks to a ruptured achilles suffered during a five-a-side match earlier this month.

But former Hampton reserve team keeper Milan Stojsavljevic committed to the club this week in time to make his first appearance at the Beveree this year in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Brentford development team.

“Losing Rodney was not ideal but Milan has come in and looked good,” said joint boss Barry this week.

“He played for me in the reserves before he signed a full time contract at Aldershot Town.

“But after two years there, he was released this summer and got back in touch and it was just at the right time.

“He did well in what I thought was a pretty good game.

“We created a couple of chances against their strongest line-up and I think a draw was a fair result.”

Ben Harris found the net for the Beavers on Tuesday, which followed the weekend’s friendly action in the Geoff Harvey Memorial Vase at Corinthian Casuals.

Hampton lost to Merstham in their semi-final on Saturday before thrashing the host club 5-1 24 hours later, thanks to goals from James Simmonds, Reece Brewster, Gareth Chendlik and Paris Mason.

The defeat to Merstham featured a goal for new striker Richard Butler and Barry liked what he saw.

“If we can get him back to his best it looks like he will be a real handful,” he said.

“He uses his body well and his movement last week was excellent.”

Hampton will unleash their new striking partnership on the Ryman Premier League on August 9 at big spending Margate.

Charlie Moone, who bagged 40 goals in all competitions last term, and new hitman Richard Butler then target Wingate & Finchley at the Beveree on August 12.

The Boxing Day clash could prove to be just that as neighbours and rivals Kingstonian visit the Beveree, and there is another derby of sorts when the Beavers go to Met Police on New Year’s Day.

The season ends at Peacehaven & Telscombe, promoted as champions of Division One South last season.