Match Preview

Hungerford Town v Concord Rangers
When: 5th January 2019
Where: Bulpit Lane, Hungerford, RG17 0BE
K.O 3PM
This could prove to be one of the Crusaders most important fixtures of this season. Now above the relegation zone it’s time to kick on. East Thurrock face Gloucester where both can’t win and Weston’s hopes of three points against Billericay look slim. By 5 pm Hungerford could be 3 points clear. Also add in next week’s trip to Gloucestershire and a 6 point gap could open up between those two sides. However a tough assignment awaits them first in the hands of Concord Rangers. Concord are exceeding expectations, sitting in third place with a 7 game unbeaten run at the moment. However 5 of their 6 losses have come away from home so could a shock could be on the cards?

Form guide- Concord are on a 7 game unbeaten run stretching back to November when they lost away to Torquay. 4 wins in that time including an impressive 1-0 away win against fellow play off contenders Welling. However they have dropped points to East Thurrock, Chippenham and Bath recently. Hungerford beat Oxford City 2-1 last time out to record only a 2nd victory on the road this season which moves them above the relegation zone. At home the Crusaders were undone by Tyler Harvey to lose 4-1 to Truro after impressive home results against Chippenham and Oxford.

Team news- Concord have no new injury news but manager Sammy Moore may rotate his squad following the busy festive period. Ian Herring could do the same but may be without forward Rhys Kavanagh who missed Oxford on New Year’s Day but his absence hasn’t been specified. Ekpiteta is still out and could miss the whole of January with a hamstring problem.

Star man- Rangers on form player is Sam Blackman with 4 goals in 5 games but former Town striker Alex Wall has 11 goals this season. He will be the visitor’s main attacking threat and presence up top. Hungerford’s Tom Anderson was the main attacking threat against Oxford and his pace causes any defence problems. Cameron Hargreaves, Alfy Whittingham and Charlie Ten-Grotenhuis dominated the midfield on Tuesday plus James Rubsy was a commanding presence at the back to thwart the City attack.

Head to head- On Canvey Island the Crusaders are still yet to win most recently falling to a 4-0 defeat earlier on this season. However at Bulpit Lane on both occasions the hosts have won 2-1 and 2-0.