Away day delight for Hungerford

A sun filled, crisp Saturday afternoon at Hemel Hempstead FC gave the local fans who have been missing the beautiful game hope for a classic, but the home team failed to live up to the hype.

Both clubs are in the top half of the National League South table, and it was Hungerford Town FC who took away the three points and won by a slender one goal to nil.

Three minutes in it was crowd favourite Ryan Kinnane who rose above trees and planted a header just wide of Hungerford’s goal mouth which had keeper Luke Cairney in despair. The visitors got themselves into the game with some neat passes from Callum Wilmoth in the midfield, and some speculative efforts from forward Ryan Seager who showed early signs of what was to come.

In the 22^nd minute, forward Jonathan Lacey hit a rocket for Hemel that took a slight deflection and crashed on to the crossbar.

Hungerford did well to frustrate the home faithful’s but overstepped the mark, and the first booking of the afternoon was given to Harrison Bayley on the half hour mark. Defender James Rusby soon followed him into the book.

Just before referee Oliver Mackey blew the half time whistle, Hemel centre-back McDevitt made a last-ditch challenge with Hungerford forwards waiting to pounce.

Half time came and went without any of the sides knowing what outcome this match had in store for them.

Hungerford came out of the traps and tested Dean Snedker for the first time in the match, a sign of more urgency from Danny Robinson’s men.

Then disaster struck for the home side in the 55^th minute. Both Hemel defenders looked at each puzzlingly and allowed Seager to waltz through and lob the keeper with aplomb.

The game rather petered off after the goal and Hemel’s frustrations grew when early sub Carruthers was booked unfairly towards the end of the game. Hemel gave the away side a few late scares with some half chances, but by then it was too little too late. A great away win, which was a smash and grab for Hungerford but nevertheless three points were gained.

The most important on any given match day.