Resolute Rebels hold out valiant Crusaders

10 man Slough Town held out to extend their unbeaten run to 6 games and hold off a valiant Hungerford comeback. A poor start and a lack of composure on the ball was the hosts downfall on a day they slipped closer to the relegation zone. Slough raced into an early lead inside two minutes when the hosts switched off at a free kick. George Wells had a deflected effort fall into the path of Mark Nisbet to slot home. Despite the slow start Hungerford had early opportunities. Firstly, Darren Foxley jinked his way into the box only to see his effort smothered by Jack Turner. Mike Jones’s long range strike stung the fingertips of Turner before the goalkeeper misjudged the flight of a corner and centre back Marvel Ekpiteta could only divert his header wide of the target. Michael Luyambula had to be alert at the other end to save Francis Amartey’s shot when the striker was slipped through on goal. However, Luyambula couldn’t save a second Slough goal when a Mathew Lench corner went in off the unfortunate Marvel Ekpiteta. Just before half time Marcus Johnson-Schuster had a free kick palmed away by the visiting keeper.

The Crusaders nearly made the perfect start to the second half when Ekpiteta had the ball in the net after meeting a Danilo Orsi-Dadaomo cross but the linesman raised his flag for offside. The Rebels had space on the counter attack which Amartey nearly exploited when he played in Lee Togwell but the midfielder was to be denied by the Hungerford goalkeeper. Darren Foxley became a livelier presence down the flanks but Turner was equal to his low effort. Just minutes later Orsi-Dadomo ran into the box and smashed the ball past Turner to give the hosts a lifeline. The visitors, already under pressure, then had to see out the last 20 minutes with ten men after Hollis saw a second yellow card following a crunching tackle from the defender on winger Rhys Kavanagh. Chesmain and Ekpiteta both had late efforts to equalise before Orsi-Dadomo missed a guilt edged chance in added time.

The result ends a 3 game winning streak and 5 game unbeaten run for the Crusaders. With only 4 games left for the season it leaves Hungerford just a point above the relegation zone. Gloucester, Dulwich and Hampton all won to ease their relegation fears. Eastbourne lost to the former 2-1 whilst Truro had their match abandoned against Concord Rangers. The match was abandoned in the 76th minute due to serious shoulder injury to one of the Truro players. That means the Cornish club have a game in hand meaning they can leapfrog Hungerford. It sets the relegation run in nicely for the remaining 4 fixtures. Next week Hungerford visit Dulwich Hamlet in another crucial game.