Hungerford revamped their away form in the league with a superb win at AFC Totton

On a playing surface that had survived the overnight deluge the Crusaders started brightly with some fine attacking play. Adulai Sambu had the first chance after two minutes firing a Conor McDonagh cross over. Then Sambu was hauled over in the box but the penalty area after 5 minutes but the penalty appeals were waved away. Sam De St Croix who was pulling the strings in the middle had a chance well saved by Lewis Noice after 7 minutes and this was closely followed by an Elis Watts run and shot that was blocked away.

With this lively start from the visitors Totten finally had a chance when Taylor had a shot well saved by Ryan Clarke & then Cheidoize had a shot blocked by Matt Berry-Hargreaves at the midway point the home team starting to grow into the game. It was even stuff for the rest of the half and the first goal would be vital. That goal came after a bit of a howler from the Stags keeper Noice who managed to dive over a ball on the wide left hand side of his six yard box. Sambu was on hand to fire in from a tight angle to give the Crusaders the lead.

Hungerford started the second half really on the front foot. Almost from the kick off Rhys Tyler sent over a cross that was missed by Noice but Benny Read managed to head off the line. Watts then had a chance on the wide right hand side of the box his shot beat Noice but went about an inch wide of the far post.

Hungerford finally doubled their lead ten minutes into the half. McDonagh breaking down the left produced a Beckham-esque ball that zipped across the pitch to find Watts who powered the ball home for his 10th of the season. It was no more than the Crusaders deserved for their start to the half. Joe Shepherd nearly made it 3on the hour with a long range attempt that was just held by Noice

The home side started to push towards the end of the game and with a dozen minutes left Scott Rendell got one back with a typical finish in the six yard box from him after a Maloney cross. It was a bit of backs against the wall for the remainder of the game from Hungerford but the defence stood strong with some exceptional blocks from Berry-Hargreaves, Jack Wright and an excellent save onto the bar from Clarke deep in injury time to keep the Stags out and take the three points back to Bulpit Lane.

Team : Clarke, Tyler (c), Medford-Smith, Berry-Hargreaves, Wright, Alexander, Shepherd, De St Croix (Hooper), Watts, McDonagh (Spasov), Sambu (Lopes)
Subs Not used : Evans, Stanley
Attendance 1377

Star Man – Joe Shepherd