Watts fires Hungerford past league leaders

Elis Watts scored a late winner to keep Hungerford Town on the periphery of the play-off places heading into Christmas Day.

The match did not live up to its pre-match billing, it was a scrappy and tight encounter in tough conditions but Hungerford got the job done thanks to Watts' goal, which was the only real moment of quality in the game.

Adulai Sambu had both of the Crusaders' best chances in the first half, passing one wide from 12 yards out and curling another over the bar.

Salisbury, kicking down the slope, struggled to fashion any chances with Ryan Clarke a mere spectator.

Jamar Smith’s 20-yard effort, that dragged a few yards wide of a post, was the closest the visitors came.

The second half carried on in the same way as the first, although Jack Wright had a chance from a Watts corner which he could not guide on target.

Salisbury did conjure up a rare moment of quality to part open the Hungerford defence, but Clarke was quickly out of his goal to smother the danger and the ball lopped over the crossbar.

Watts then fired over a free kick from a dangerous position before he opened the scoring.

Sam De St.Croix was fouled in the build-up but the referee Mitch Terry played advantage and Watts drove down on goal and struck the ball into the corner of the net with too much velocity for the diving Josh Gould.

The goal gave Hungerford some renewed energy to see the game out in the final moments.

Joe Shepherd should have shot or squared the ball across to Conor McDonagh to end the contest, but Watts’ strike was enough for the three points.

Hungerford travel to Didcot Town on Boxing Day, 12.30PM kick off, before returning to Bulpit Lane on New Years Day against Merthyr.

Picture by Jeff Youd