Three goal lead squandered at Sholing

On a very soggy pitch after a thunderous downpour Hungerford dominated the first half and took the lead on 14 minutes. After a run into the box from Elis Watts where it looked like he was fouled the ball found its way to Adulai Sambu whose side footed shot beat Sholing keeper Ryan Gosney. Five minutes later Gosney was closed down by Sean Moore and made a kicking error picking out Conor McDonagh who despite being outside the box had then an empty net to pass the ball into and double Hungerford’s lead.

Hungerford were really on top now and it felt only a matter of time before they scored again, Sambu, McDonagh and Watts all causing issues. With a couple of minutes to go Mcdonagh had a shot cleared off the line by Owen Roundell but two minutes later it was McDonagh who made it 3 with a tremendous 25 yard strike which gave Gosney no chance. Somehow the officials found more and more time to add on to the half and Hungerford gave away a sloppy free kick that was floated into the box missed by everyone and bundled in at the far post by Dan Mason to make it 3-1 at half time.

It was vital that Hungeford did not make and sloppy mistakes early on in the second half sadly though they did straight from kick off when a long ball to Brad Targett who had the freedom of Sholing and beat Ryan Clarke to the ball and put into an empty net.

The visitors were rattled and all the momentum of the game was now with the home side. Watts had a run where he beat three defenders and shot straight at the keeper and Moore flashed a shot past the far post as Hungerford tried to react but then all the pressure was on Clarkes goal.

It took until the 70th minute for what felt like Sholing’s inevitable equaliser to come. a corner was met by Targett and his looping header found the net. It was then backs against the wall stuff from the Crusaders as Clarke made a couple of good saves and Jack Wright cleared the ball off the line as the hosts pushed for the winner but it never came as both sides will probably look at this as a frustrating point. For Hungerford looking for positives its now 1 defeat in six league games and they know that cutting out errors will lead to more victories

Team : Clarke, Tyler, Medford-Smith, Berry-Hargreaves, Wright, Alexander, Hooper, De St Croix (Moore), Watts, McDonagh (Spasov), Sambu (Paget)
Subs Not Used; Carnell, Softley

Attendance 275
Star Man: Sambu