Hungerford win derby with Foxley stunner!

Darren Foxley scored a late winner as Hungerford edged out ten-man Chippenham at Bulpit Lane. After a slow start to the game Nick McCootie missed an early opening before ex-Crusader Nat Jarvis tucked home a low cross to give the visitors an early lead. Shortly after the more dynamic midfielder Richie Whittingham came on for Ian Herring as the manager looked to get straight back into the match. However the tide didn’t turn and McCootie blazed over his second opportunity before a Will Richards header was well saved by Jacob Weaver. Hungerford did work hard but found the Bluebirds a tough proposition to break down as openings were few and far between. Josh Smile was instrumental in midfield for Chippenham as they went in 1-0 to the good at half-time.

After the interval the Crusaders came out the brighter and gained a numerical advantage when Dean Evans received his second yellow card with just under half an hour to go. Just a few minutes later the hosts drew level which rewarded their increased tenacity and purpose in the second half. A free kick from Richie Whittingham was palmed away by Brad House into the path of Marvel Ekpiteta who played the ball across for to Rhys Kavanagh to scramble home. Weaver saved Richards low effort and Chippenham thought they had taken the lead but the effort was ruled out for offside. A dangerous corner from Hungerford saw home debutant Cameron Hargreaves volley just over from inside the penalty area. Neither side looked likely to score as the game headed into added time. However in the 90th minute Alfy Whittingham found Foxley who came up with a moment of brilliance, bending his shot into the top corner to give Hungerford all three points. The result means Hungerford are just one point from safety and now have a week off before turning to cup action against Slough Town in the Berks and Bucks cup on the 18th of December.