First half goals enough for cup progression

It wasn't the finest 90 minutes but Hungerford did the job they needed to do and beat Bracknell Town to progress to the next round of the Berks and Bucks senior cup. Conor Lynch impressed up front, tirelessly energetic throughout, making a big claim to start Saturday's match at Hampton. Liam Ferdinand sat on the bench as Jose Maturino Da Silva partnered Lynch up top. Louis McGrory made his first start of 2020 and Yan Klukowski played thirty minutes, his first piece of action since Boxing Day. First team regulars Ralph Graham, Bradley Webb and George Smith were also rested. Dan Bailey and Matt Berry-Hargreaves had an opportunity to impress in midfield and at right wing-back.

The match got off to a slow start, both teams enjoying possession and a few flurries forward. Adam Siviter made the first save of the evening on 23 minutes, as Mickel Plate stinged the goalkeepers fingertips. Hungerford then broke from the resulting corner catching the visitors off guard. Lynch showed good strength and pace weaving his way into the penalty area before setting up Zidan Akers who had a simple finish. Lynch then forced Jason Matthews into a fine reaction save. Dan Bailey's shot cum cross fell kindly for the outstretched boot of Lynch and Matthews did well to keep the ball out of the net. The hosts then had a two-goal cushion going into the interval. Mike Jones took a long free kick finding Berry-Hargreaves in oceans of space and the defender slotted the ball beyond the oncoming Matthews.

Hungerford made life more difficult than it should've been for them in the second half but did well for large parts for withstanding constant Bracknell pressure. Nebay Haile pulled one back for the visitors connecting with a cross and seeing the ball bounce in off the underside of the bar. Substitute Duarte Surparnu spurned two guilt edge chances in quick succession, blazing the ball over the bar when unmarked both times. Luke Holness's curling attempt was comfortably collected by Siviter and the Robins pushed hard for an equaliser but the Crusaders held on for victory.