Hungerford suffer first defeat of the season

Hungerford Town suffered their first defeat of the season at Chesham United despite Conor McDonagh's late header.

Chesham, whose league opener last weekend was abandoned with the generals leading 3-0, started where they left off with a bright start.

Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick's cross was headed goal bound by ex-Crusader Jordan Edwards but a strong hand by Ryan Clarke denied him.

The hosts were rewarded on 21 minutes when Edwards' pull back was converted into the corner of the net by Connor Roberts.

Edwards was again denied by a fine Clarke save, this time from a free kick which looked to be heading into the top corner. Just before the half-time interval, Ricardo German smashed the post from a tight angle.

Hungerford were still in the game and produced a better second half display. The introduction of Fabio Lopes brought some needed energy and drive into the midfield and Nathan Davis' long throw-ins were always a danger.

Just as the Crusaders were starting to apply the pressure, albeit without testing the goalkeeper, Edwards curled the ball home to double Chesham's advantage.

It was a quick response from the Crusaders as a minute later McDonagh headed home Rhys Tyler's pinpoint cross to halve the deficit.

Cian Moore pushed over a well struck long range volley by Jack Stanley which proved to be the match winning save.

Chesham could have added to the score line if it were not for Matt Berry-Hargreaves putting his body on the line with a couple of outstanding blocks.

However, to make the afternoon worse a late red card for Berry-Hargreaves will see him suspended for the foreseeable future. It ended ten against ten as Hippolyte-Patrick saw red for a late challenge on Lopes. Despite the nine minutes of added on time the Crusaders could not grab an equaliser.