When you hear the term ‘ridiculous resources’ in the footballing world, your mind automatically throws up images of the Manchester City, Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germains’ of this world, maybe even some up-and-coming non-league teams if you’re that way inclined, but one team you certainly wouldn’t put in that category is Southern League Hungerford Town (population: 5,869).
That’s just what happened though following their victory over Taunton Town at Bulpit Lane. The Peacocks manager stated that the ‘ridiculous resources at their disposal’ played a part in The Crusaders second win on the bounce.
It was a single Elis Watts goal – three in three games now for the midfielder – which proved to be the difference in Hungerford Town’s second maximum of the season. Danny Robinson’s side were high on confidence following the dismantling of Gosport Borough last time out and it showed as they started the brighter, having a penalty shout waved away within the opening fifteen minutes when a Louis McGrory header back across goal struck the hand of the Taunton Town defender. The away side came closest to taking the lead just minutes later when a header from Archie Ferris forced a magnificent outstretched save from Ryan Clarke tipped the ball over the bar to keep the scores level.
Despite a few minutes flurry, the half was really one of half chances and half time at Bulpit Lane saw the game deadlocked.
Just three minutes after the break however, Elis Watts was set up well by McGrory and slotted home, past the goalkeeper at his near post to open the scoring, sending the majority of the 347 in attendance into euphoria.
The Crusader’s confidence rose again as they went in search of further goals to really kill the game off. Brad Hooper rounded the Taunton goalkeeper but ran out of space while Watts saw an effort to grab his second blocked well. Hungerford came close in the dying embers of the game also after a McGrory strike was tipped onto the bar to keep the deficit to just one.
Hungerford held on to the victory and will look forward to a trip to league favourites AFC Totton next.
West Berkshire Headlines
A mention this week must also go to AFC Aldermaston who continue to pick up points in the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division One in these early stages. The Atoms travelled to Romsey Town who, after last season’s performance, many had tipped to be right up amongst it for promotion this season.
Marcus Richardson took his side to the New Forest in search of their second league win and got in, in great fashion. Goals from Padraig Gorman and Harry Peters, and an excellent defensive display saw Aldermaston head back to Berkshire with all three points and a vital clean sheet against a Romsey team who had previously scored six in their last two league fixtures.
Elsewhere in West Berkshire, Thatcham Town suffered FA Cup heartbreak at the hands of Step 5 Andover New Street. After going a goal ahead after just eight minutes through Daniel-Spray before two quick fire responses from Williams and Taylor-Kelly put the visitors ahead before half time. The second forty-five remained goalless and The Kingfishers were dumped out of the Cup.
Kintbury Rangers stretched their unbeaten league run to four thanks to a George Armstrong penalty late in The Gers Friday night fixture at home to Shrewton United. Kintbury currently sit third in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League after four rounds of fixtures.
Tadley Calleva did not have a fixture.
