Hungerford into the playoff zone after a tough away win at Didcot

An early Boxing Day kick off saw an impressive turn out at Didcot from Hungerford fans making the trip up the A34. They were almost rewarded early on when Elis Watts just failed to get on the end of a Conor McDonagh cross
It took until the 39th minute for Hungerford to take the lead. Brad Hooper winning the turn over in midfield and finding Sam De St Croix, his delicious through ball put Sambu clear and he cooly slotted it past Bedwell in Didcot’s goal to score his 5th goal of the season. Didcot could have equalised just before the break ex Crusader Luke Carnell winning a header in the box that they could not quite scramble in at the far post.

Early in the second half a run and shot by McDonagh was parried away by Bedwell and De St Croix should have put it in at the far post but he pushed it wide. Didcot were far from out of the game and with 20 minutes to go Fabio Lopes had to produce a fine goal line clearance to keep the lead intact. Didcot had a huge penalty shout turned away in the 68th minute when the impressive Gallagher was bundled over in the box by Hooper a decision that even Danny Robinson post-match found questionable. In the 78th minute Jack Wright had a header hit the post and Great Evans could not force it home. Hungerford always looked very dangerous on the break Sambu in particular a threat. They could not convert any chances to make the end of the match a bit more comfortable for the away fans however.

In the end the points were secured again a moment of quality from Hungerford and some serious resilience enough to win the game. Back to back 1-0 victories and a move into the playoff zone was a great Xmas present for those noisy travelling fans.

Team : Clarke, Tyler (c), Medford-Smith, Wright, Jarra, Hooper, De St Croix (Lopes), Shepherd, Watts (Alexander), McDonagh (Evans), Sambu
Subs Not used : Stanley, Ladapo
Attendance : 420
Star Man : Adulai Sambu