Hungerford Town FC – huge away win, 2:1!
It was a tremendous comeback victory for Hungerford over Havant & Waterlooville securing the first away win ever at Westleigh Park, 2:1!
Alex Monks came into the side for the injured Rhys Tyler meaning Louis McGrory was switched over to wing back but it was an otherwise unchanged team from the previous weekend victory over Tiverton for Hungerford.
In the first half Hungerford looked happy to contain “The Hawks”, Joe Shepherd had an early curing shot on goal but it was easily saved by Havant keeper Dudzinski. Hungerford, while sitting in, were still trying to hit Havant on the break, George Smith and James Ollis both had long range efforts but they didn’t trouble the home side’s youthful defence.
Havant & Waterlooville, however, were on top and should have taken the lead at the midway point of the half, ex Hungerford midfielder Alfie Wittingham picking up a loose ball and feeding Nana Owusu but he could only blaze over Luke Cairney’s bar. Owusu looked dangerous and has a great record against Hungerford but Cairney was there to save his shot on the half hour mark.
With around ten minutes to go in the half, Havant were awarded a penalty after some messy play involving George Smith and Ryan Seager. Despite Seager looking to have handled the ball on the floor it was Smith who was adjudged to have fouled. The ex Hungerford striker Seager proved as lethal from the spot as ever wrong footing Cairney to open the scoring. Cairney had to make a couple more saves before the break as the Hawks had their tails up but he was equal to anything they could throw at him.
Danny Robinson made a tactical change at half time bringing on the creative Zach Kotwica to give Hungerford some more attacking momentum and it proved to be a master stroke. It only took five minutes for Hungerford to equalise. The impressive Monks who covered every plastic fibre of the pitch fed Harry Williams. Williams kept his clam to beat Dudzinski and equalise. This entire match momentum switching to the away side.
Ollis looked to be the danger man for Hungerford, he saw a long range attempt go over and then when one on one with Dudzinski took the ball around the keeper but then smacked his finish against the post. A glorious opportunity to win the game.
Hungerford turned to Kyle Tooze off the bench, the striker returning from suspension. Tooze was immediately into the heart of the action, testing Dudzinski at his near post. It seemed as if time was going to run out and Hungerford were not going to get the win they deserved until with five minutes to go Tooze broke clear had a shot which Dudzinski could only parry back to Tooze who this time slotted home.
There were still some nervous moments as Hungerford had to endure eight minutes of added on time but Cairney was not tested with anything apart from hopeful balls into the box and Hungerford secured their first ever win at Westleigh Park.
Photo by kind permission of Jeff Youd
