Crusaders claim crucial victory at Concord

Hungerford kept a first clean sheet since August in a defensively disciplined display that laid the foundations for a comfortable win over Concord Rangers. The win moved Hungerford out of the relegation zone whilst Concord's alarming poor run of form continues. Ian Herring made three changes to the side narrowly beat at Dorking a week ago. Cameron McGilp made his debut on loan from Swindon Town alongside George Smith replacing Dan Bailey and James Rusby respectively. Striker James Constable came back to the starting eleven with Kofi Halliday dropping to the bench.

The first half was largely dominated by the visitors in terms of chances even though the hosts saw slightly more of the ball. Liam Ferdinand tried an ambitious attempt on five minutes which flew over before the game's first big chance arrived for Hungerford. James Constable connected beautifully with a long-range diagonal pass forcing goalkeeper Chris Haigh to tip the ball past a post. The resulting corner fell to Akinwale Odimayo who couldn't sought his feet out at the first attempt completely miscuing the flight of the ball. However, he toe poked the ball back towards goal at the second opportunity which resulted in load shouts for a penalty. Nothing was given by the referee. Adam Siviter was untroubled until the fifteenth minute when he made a good stop from a free kick. Zidan Akers always looked an outlet down the right hand side with his pace once again causing problems for opposition defences. With his first glance at goal in the penalty area his shot was deflected wide. Hiagh though would be called into action again stopping a George Smith attempt from an acute angle. Smith had no excuses from the corner that followed. A free header, central position, unmarked, the young midfielder should've at least hit the target.

The Crusaders made the perfect start to the second half, Taofiq Olomowewe smashed in his first goal for the club. Akers corner wasn't cleared by the home defence, Ferdinand pounced on the opportunity to recycle the ball across the face of goal and Olomowewe was in the right place at the right time. Ferinand nearly assisted a second goal soon after but Akers couldn't finish beyond Haigh. The Beachboys looked deflated and despite controlling a-lot of the ball they were never a threat to the rigid wall of red shirts standing in their way. Instead the scoreline should've looked more emphatic, substitute Matt Jones tried his luck from long-range to no avail. Akers also once again had the goal gaping at his mercy but just as on previous occasion's the winger couldn't find the back of the net. With the clock ticking down Concord poured forward in numbers. Siviter, having been quiet almost all game, pulled off a crucial diving save to deny Kresnic Krasniqi. Destined for the top corner that save won Hungerford the game even though there was still seconds left for Ferdinand to race away from a flatfooted centre back partnership and coolly slot beyond the goalkeeper. Jubilant scenes followed and a deserved victory was secured on Canvey Island.

Next Saturday is another big game for Hungerford, when we host Hampton and Richmond Borough.