Match Preview

When: 23rd February 2019
Where: Bulpit Lane, RG17 0BE
K.O 3PM
Only 11 matches of the national league south remains for Hungerford and their fight to avoid the drop is starting but not yet hitting top gear. Gloucester’s upturn in form means the Tigers are three points clear of the drop. Eastbourne have just replaced their manager and Dulwich and Hampton are getting further dragged into the mire. However Hungerford need to start gaining three points on a regular basis to ramp up the pressure. A home game against 5th placed Welling may not sound like the perfect opportunity but the Kent side have struggled on their travels this season and have relied heavily on home form. If the hosts can perform and bring back flashes from the 5-0 hammering of St Albans another upset could be on the cards.

Form guide- The Wings held out to beat league leaders Torquay 2-0 last weekend following up a 1-0 midweek win at Oxford City. They bounced back after a surprise 2-1 loss away at Dulwich Hamlet. Hungerford lost 3-1 to local rivals Chippenham town last Saturday. Before that they had beaten St Albans 5-0 at Bulpit Lane succeeding three straight losses.

Team news- The visitors will be without Jack Barham who returned to parent club Barnet this week following his goal versus Torquay last Saturday. Thierry Audel is also out after picking up a groin strain injury last weekend and is likely to be replaced by Richard Orlu. Winger Nassam L’Ghoul should be back in contention after returning to training following a hamstring injury. Steve King noted many other players played through the pain barrier last week so some first team players will have to be assessed ahead of this weekend. Ian Herring shouldn’t have as many selection issues with only midfielder Cameron Hargreaves a certain absentee after he picked up two yellow cards against Chippenham.

Star man- Brendan Kiernan is the visitor’s top scorer this season with 9 goals and has also recorded 6 assists. The midfielder is currently on a goal drought but will eye up one of the leagues leakiest defences to get back on the scoresheet. Hungerford’s top scorer Danilo Orsi-Dadomo is on fine form at the moment with 3 goals in 2 games including the opener against Chippenham last weekend. The striker is starting to occupy the two centre backs and bring others into play which is key for when the Crusaders counter attack their opposition.

Head to head- The wings have a good record against the Berkshire side. They won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Park view road. Last season they did the double over the Crusaders with a convincing 4-1 victory away following up a narrow 3-2 victory at home. In 2016/17 It finished 0-0 in Kent after a 1-0 win for Hungerford earlier on in the season.