Crusaders suffer battling defeat to Romans

Hungerford battled hard but narrowly lost away to Bath City, who ended the evening top of the table. Ian Herring made two changes to the side that lost to Maidstone on Saturday. Louis McGrory and Kofi Halliday were dropped for debutant George Smith and Zidan Akers.

City started bright earning a corner inside thirty seconds which Tom Richards headed over then Tom Smith had an effort that was placed just wide of a post. The first free kick of the evening for the visitors saw Mike Jones head straight at James Pardington. Tyler Harvey, who scored five goals in two appearances against Hungerford last season, had his first sight of goal twelve minutes in. A diagonal ball over the top, wasn't fully controlled by the former Truro striker but he still got a shot away which Adam Siviter caught. On the counter attack Hungerford looked dangerous with the pace of Akers causing problems. G.Smith started the move before Liam Ferdinand sprayed the ball out to the winger. Akers got a powerful shot away which Pardington saved with his legs. T.Smith had a good chance at the other end, but Siviter was well alert to deny the midfielder. Harvey then glanced a header wide as the hosts had come to terms with their opponents pressing game and starting to find their passing rhythm. However, the goal that was to come was a soft opener to conceded. Connor Riley-Lowe's free kick from the left touchline was bundled home from Harvey Smith, possibly going in off an unfortunate visiting defender.

At the break, Herring made a double sub with Mike Jones and Marcus Johnson-Schuster off due to injury. Jones's midfield presence and Johnson-Schuster dynamism on the right hand side were deeply missed in the second half. G.Smith was having an excellent debut as a box to box midfield player and the youngster made an excellent tackle, as the last man, when T.Smith was bearing down on goal. Harvey tested Siviter with a swerving long range effort which was pushed to safety by the Birmingham loanee. When accustomed to a similar shot minutes later Siviter parried the ball straight into the path of Ross Stearn to score City's second. Harvey was still searching for the third, dragging a shot inches wide of the post before Stearn forced a good save from the goalkeeper. James Rusby then had to deny Stearn with a last ditch challenge. Siviter's evening wasn't finished with a corner finding Ryan Brunt forcing an excellent reflex save. Despite all the pressure the Crusaders mounted one last attack which Kofi Halliday finely finished off. A late free kick and long throw in came to nothing and the Romans hung on for all three points.

Hungerford move onto a home match against Chippenham Town on Saturday. Kick off is 3PM at Bulpit Lane.