Beavers see off Crusaders

Coming off the back of a win at Concord a week ago hopes were high that Hungerford could start moving up the table. Instead it was a day of severe disappointment. The weather certainly didn't help play with gusty winds and heavy rain lashing down throughout. The pitch was cut up and difficult to play on. However that shouldn't hide the fact that this was a deeply underwhelming performance, especially when contrasting to last week's showing.

One milestone to celebrate was Ian Herring taking charge of his 100th game. Herring made one forced change from the side that faced Concord last week. Yan Klukowski dropped out of the squad due to injury with James Rusby taking his place in midfield.

There were early warning signs from the visitors with Louis Soares and Donaldson both coming close inside the opening ten minutes. Zidan Akers had the first attempt on goal for the hosts, easily fisted away by Dan Lincoln. However the pressure kept on mounting at the other end, Charlie Wassmer heading wide from a corner. Jake Grey forced Adam Siviter into a low save but still needed defender Akinwale Odimayo to clear the danger. Just before the twenty minute mark Wassmer thumped home a free header from a corner. Akers forced Lincoln into another save but Hampton kept pushing for a second goal. Grey saw Siviter save his attempt with his feet before Jefferson Louis drilled an effort wide.

Soares’ low free kick forced Siviter into another good save but the pattern of play started to change with the hosts beginning to dominate possession. Hungerford though couldn’t test Lincoln in the away goal and failed to breakthrough a well organised Beavers defence. Hampton were to get what they deserved with ex Crusader Danilo Orsi-Dadomo pouncing to head home. Siviter had made an excellent save to keep out a Ryan Hill free kick but Orsi-Dadomo was on hand to settle the contest. Kofi Halliday had a header smothered off the line soon after but the game was deservedly won by the visitors.