Match Preview

Hungerford Town v Braintree Town
When: 22nd February
Where: Bulpit Lane, RG17 0AY
K.O 3PM
Hopefully this game won't be battered by a storm and can be played in some decent conditions. Even though the pitch wasn't great, the rain was hammering down and the wind machine on high, Hungerford played some good football last Saturday and will be disappointed not to have won the match. Now with three league games at home on the bounce before a tough March, Hungerford can try and build up some momentum.

Form guide - Braintree are winless in four. They've lost, to just the one goal, to Slough and Maidstone whilst drawing their other two recent matches against Weymouth and Hemel Hempstead. Hungerford drew last time out, 1-1 at Tonbridge Angels following back to back defeats. Their last win, four games ago was a one-nil home success against Essex side Chelmsford City.

Team news - Braintree have no new injury concerns so are likely to go with the same squad that drew against Hemel. For Hungerford, new loan signing Ollie Artwell from Forest Green Rovers may be given his debut. Jose Maturino Da Silva will be assessed and may well return to the squad.

Star man - Billy Johnson kept his first clean sheet for the Iron last Saturday and the clubs first since November. The Norwich City loanee goalkeeper could be key in the Irons fight to avoid the drop. The Crusaders Matt Berry-Hargreaves wasn't getting much game time for the club but after playing the last two games the defender has proven himself with two impressive displays.

Head to head - Hungerford won the reverse fixture earlier on in the season by three goals to nil. In the 2017/18 National League South season, Braintree won both meetings. 5-0 at Cressing Road before a 1-0 win at Bulpit Lane.