Johnson-Schuster’s strike sets Crusaders on way to 3 points!

Hungerford had to work hard for the three points but goals from Alfy Whittingham and Marcus Johson-Schsuter gave the Crusaders a much needed win to begin 2019. Oxford did start the brighter and controlled proceedings but Michael Luyambula only had to make one or two simple saves. The best chance fell to the visitors when a loose back pass was seized upon by Cameron Hargreaves but he had his shot blocked by an onrushing defender. Reece Fleet’s free kick caused havoc in the penalty area but no one could convert it home for City. Kabongo Tshimanga had his first sniff at goal smothered up after some clever pieces of play. Danilo Orsi-Dadomo also tried his luck but fired wide of the post as the Crusaders started to become the team in the ascendancy. Tshimanga glanced into the gloves of the goalkeeper after good work by Eddie Jones just before half time.
After the break the Crusaders started on the front foot and Whittingham saw his header cleared off the line but was to get a goal just a minute later. Orsi-Dadomo held the ball up before setting off Whittingham to round the keeper and pass home. However the lead was to last just two minutes as Tshimanga tapped home following Luyambula’s palmed clearance from a swerving Sam Nombe shot. Nombe could have got his goal but volleyed wide after a ball across the face of goal. Craig King saved from the lively Tom Anderson before the on-loan Birmingham forward went one on one with King but the home keeper produced a big save to keep the scores level. Tshimanga had another great opportunity but after finding space in the penalty area blazed high and wide. The visitors were then to strike again from right back Johnson-Schuster into the bottom corner following a poorly cleared corner. Fleet forced the Hungerford goalkeeper into a fantastic save late on but despite late pressure the Berkshire side held out for a deserved three points which sees them move outside the relegation zone.