Match Preview - Hungerford Town

Tiverton will go into their next matchday facing the form-horse in the division. Hungerford have produced a set of results that are reminiscent of the ones that Dorchester achieved to turn their season around in the last campaign. An unbeaten Six game run, has seen them amass Sixteen points. 

The Yellows’ will be envious of those stats, but have shown signs of recovery themselves since the turn of the year. Having got into some great positions to win games they have though more often than not, failed to put the game’s to bed. 

The Yellows’ will have to do without Skipper Matt Britton, who was sent off at Sholing and Physio Tony Cornish will assess a few players who picked up knock’s in that game. Rob Dray will hope to though have a full squad except for Britton, to choose from. 

But for some contentious offsides, Joe Parker would have been amongst the goals again and Dan Koita would have been celebrating his first for Tiverton goal. However luck can change and if we keep plugging away, I`m sure we will see some rewards. 

In the reverse fixture back in November, it was honour’s even. The 1-1 score line perhaps reflecting both side’s fragile league position at the time. However, right now unless the Yellows’ start dealing in wins, Rob Dray’s men will soon be adrift of safety. 

Manager Danny Robinson whose tenure at previous club Thatcham included an FA Vase win, is into his Sixth season with Hungerford. The Crusaders’ were playing their football a step higher, until relegation saw them become members of the Southern League Premier South for the 2023/24 campaign. 

The visitor’s were dealt an early blow at the beginning of their season when main focal point, Striker Conor McDonough required knee surgery back in August. It has by the look of their results taken them a while to find the cutting edge that they appear to have now. 

On loan attacking midfielder Jose Marquez whose parent club is Forest Green, has made a startling impact at the club. He was previously a loanee with Swindon Supermarine earlier in the season. But the young starlet has scored 5 goals in just 7 games for the Crusaders. 

Kyle Tooze a much travelled physical number Nine, who played briefly at Hungerford before, has filled a bit of the void left with Mcdonough being absent. The 34 year old hitman has a decent goalscoring record in the league below with the likes of Yate, Paulton Rovers and Mangotsfield. He played under Robinson at Thatcham. 

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke who is now 42, brings a wealth of experience with him. It his second campaign with The Crusaders, but he was Oxford United’s regular glove man for Six seasons and also played in the EFL for Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Southend. Five seasons from the 2018/19 season until the 23/24 season were spent at Bath City. 

Centre Back Matt Berry-Hargreaves  is a popular figure with Hungerford fans and is into his Sixth campaign for the Berkshire based team. The dependable defender signed a Pro contract with Oxford United after being part of their academy, but didn’t feature for the first team, at the beginning of his senior career. 

Although, overshadowing those mentioned is Jordan Ibe. The ex Liverpool player and England Under 21 player scored a fine goal against Chertsey in the Crusader’s 3-0 win. The winger who made 41 League appearances for the Merseyside giants, also played 78 times for Bournemouth in the Premier League and Championship. It’s not often that you see this calibre of player at our level. He could be involved on Saturday. 

Two former Yellows’ are also part of Danny Robinson’s plans. Loanee Jerry Lawrence always looked the part in a Tiverton shirt and was popular in his time here. It never really worked out for Brazillian attacking midfielder Alefe Santos despite his obvious talent, but we welcome both players back to the Ian Moorcroft Stadium. 

As a fan we really need to get behind the lads on Saturday and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we can get a result here. Hopefully the tide will start turning and I know all the players and coaching staff will be doing all they can, to rip up the form book.