Half a season gone and Hungerford are once again in with a fighting chance of staying in the national league south. Written off by everyone Hungerford are now 3 points above the drop zone after Saturdays win v Concord. This is the mid season review of how our season has fared so far
August: After a long summer of rebuilding off the pitch a new bunch of players embarked on this national league south adventure. It started on the 4th of August at St Albans City with not many fans knowing how this young side would cope under pressure. The answer was still unprovided at the final whistle with lots of positives and negatives to take from the game. Forward Romone Rose scored the first goal in the entire league early on before Harvey Bradburys penalty made it 2-1 in the second half. However mis-management of the game cost us as St Albans fought back and scored a late winner. No time to dwell as the first game at Bulpit Lane came just three days later. Bobby Wilkinson returned but another Bradbury penalty shared the spoils. Chelmsford then came to town and thrashed the Crusaders 6-0 however a heroic performance with manager Ian Herring in-between the sticks got us a 0-0 draw at Hemel Hempstead just three days later. A trip to Canvey Island awaited but 4 goals in 15 first half minutes drowned our hopes of a first three points. Onto the next one when Dartford were the visitors. It was to end with a first win of the season and a goal for academy graduate Conor Lynch. When one came so did another with a victory against Truro in Torquay. Charlie Ten-Grotenhuis scored a hatrirck and went away with the matchball. August had ended with all smiles but everyone knew trickier test were to come.

September: After one month of fixtures the league table started to take shape. Hungerford sat nicely above the drop zone but another month of fixtures was to show their weaknesses and a return to normality. Firstly Gloucester City showed the ruthlessness Hungerford were missing to win 2-1. That ruthlessness was also missing with two 2-0 defeats against Torquay and Slough Town. Before that Bath City put more misery on our September in a dominant 4-1 win. The end of the month was also the start of our Fa cup journey but ended with controversy as the game was abandoned in the second half. A second bite of the cherry was needed but neither side could take it in a 1-1 draw. Many were glad September was over.

October: Take 3. A Richie Whittingham inspired display saw us eventually beat Wantage but it was done the hard way. After winning on penalties a tie against Wealdstone was the reward. £9,000 was in the bank and more money was on offer however the Stones came away 2-1 victors. That cup break was a welcome distraction from the league and we got back to work against newly promoted Dulwich Hamlet. Danilo Orsi-Dadomo fired us into the lead and looked to be setting us up for three points but a second half fightback from Dulwich meant it was them who claimed victory. A trip to Essex to visit East Thurrock who were themselves struggling. Leading with just minutes to go a late comeback after Ten-Grotenhuis's red card gifted the hosts three points. Things were looking bleak but a home game against an out of form Hampton and Richmond provided an opportunity to get back on track. With the new addition of Josh Martin the Crusaders kept a clean sheet and won 2-0. To end the month was a Wednesday night away game versus Woking. The Cards won 3-0 but Hungerford matched their opponents and could be proud of their efforts.

November: The relegation scrap was beginning to get real. Mostly positive displays weren't turning into many positive points. Winless Weston provided another perfect opportunity to take three points but a poor display turned embarrassing as the seagulls claimed a first win. Putting that aside we headed to Eastbourne. Dan Bailey provided a quick start and Marvel Ekpiteta made it 2-0 only for the officials to incorrectly rule the goal out. The decision proved key as Borough won 3-1 and inflicted another defeat on Town. Pressure was mounting and questions being asked of a young squad. Our Berks and Bucks campaign begun with a routine 2-0 win over Beaconsfield however another loss was expected when league leaders Billericay arrived and Dean Inmann came in inspired form to score a 97th minute equaliser denying us a deserved 2-1 win. November ended well and hopes were that the Ricay game would kick start our season.

December: Winter was coming and Christmas just round the corner but no presents were given out after a humiliating 1-0 defeat away at lower league Dorchester in the Fa trophy. Despite the loss we could now concentrate on the league with a tough assignment against Welling round the corner. A positive response but a 3-1 loss kept us in the bottom three. A home derby game v Chippenham was next. When Jarvis netted early it seemed an old familiar tale but Foxley scored a dramatic winner to keep hopes alive. Princes Park was our next away day but another one without a win which ended with controversy concerning Dartford's second. However nothing could be changed and we were all treated to a Boxing day cracker against Oxford. Foxley came up with the goods again inspiring us to a 1-1 draw. Home form was the basis of keeping on Gloucester's tails but Tyler Harvey netted 4 to make sure we stayed behind the Tigers going into 2019.

January: New year new hope and optimism. Two points off safety and a trip to re-play Oxford City. Alfy Whittingham and Marcus Johnson-Schuster both scored their first Crusaders goals to give us a 2-1 win. We moved 1 point above the relegation places ahead of a trip to Gloucester in two weeks time. Before that was a home game v high flying Concord. A chance to go three points clear and Foxley came up with a wonder volley that inspired us to back to back wins. Three points clear but feet still firmly on the ground as the big game on Saturday awaits. Ian Herring and his young squad are giving us a real chance of defining the odds once more.