Crusaders too good for Dorchester

Hungerford who were unchanged for the third game in succession actually started slowly and only had long range efforts from Adulai Sambu & Brad Hooper to show for their efforts in the first half hour

The home side however looked dangerous on the break ex Crusader Leighton Thomas leading the line for the hosts had a great chance from a Koszela cross in the 27th minute but he headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
It was then a Koszela shot 5 minutes later that forced Ryan Clarke into a save low to his left to keep the scores level.

With the home side squandering chances Hungerford were not in a mood to do the same. In the 36th minute Ramani Medford-Smith’s cross was not cleared the ball fell to Conor McDonagh whose shot on the turn found the bottom corner. McDonagh showing lethal finishing in the box once more.

Just before the break Hungerford doubled the lead. Hooper with a defence splitting through ball found Sambu in the box and he cut the ball back to Sam De St Croix who then had a simple finish for his 6th goal of the season. Just before the break however Clarke produced another fine stop from a 1 on 1 when the dangerous Koszela was clean through on goal

Hungerford started the second half in a dominant mood. McDonagh and Baboucarr Jarra both seeing attempts at goal saved. At the mid point of the half though Hungerford scored a remarkable team goal. After a slew of interchanging passes De St Croix found Joe Shepherd on the edge of the box his light footed touches made space for him to power the ball into the top right hand corner. It was a goal that would have been raved about for weeks if scored at a higher level but also a goal worthy of Hungerford’s performance in this half.

As the game seemed to be closing out with 5 minutes to go Dorchester got one back via a Harvey Hughes free kick from 25 yards that flew into the net past Clarke. Hungerford hit straight back, substitute Tolu Ladapo out paced Drochester’s full back and put over a cross that was headed home by fellow sub Fabio Lopes. At 4-1 the home side still kept going and deep in stoppage time Lewis Waterfield got a second goal back with a wonder strike that was ultimately no more than a consolation to make it a 4-2 win for the Crusaders

Team : Clarke, Tyler (c), Medford-Smith, Jarra, Wirght, Hooper, Shepherd (Alexander), De St Croix (Lopes), Watts, McDonagh, Sambu (Ladapo)
Subs Not used : Stanley, Evans
Attendance : 407
Start Man : Sambu