Brad Hooper fires Hungerford Town back to winning ways in win over Gloucester City
Hungerford Town returned to winning ways on Saturday, as they beat Gloucester City 1-0.
Elis Watts returned to Bulpit Lane for the first time since departing earlier this season.
Curtis Angell was unavailable for the hosts after his red card a week prior, although Ramarni Medford-Smith was able to play after his red was overturned on appeal.
Centre-back Jordan Rose also returned to the line-up for Hungerford.
The opening stages saw a number of promising signs, as Brad Hooper almost played in striker Kyle Tooze for a clear chance.
He eventually found the feet of the experienced forward, who took it round the keeper only for his shot to be blocked in the six-yard box.
Midfielder George Smith shot wide from a corner, before the Gloucester keeper clawed desperately to prevent a Brad Hooper effort from going in.
Jose Marquez and Joe Shepherd went close, with Hungerford piling on the pressure all the way up until the half-time whistle.
The second period saw this continue, as Jordan Rose went close with a header.
In the 56th minute though it was midfielder Brad Hooper who got the opener, smashing the ball home to put his side ahead.
Rafa Ramos arrived from the bench in search of a second, turning well and firing just wide.
Hooper almost set up Jose Marquez for 2-0, but the youngster shot just wide.
1-0 it how it ended, with Hooper having controlled the game and ultimately won it with an excellent strike.
Hungerford seemed to react well, following a 4-0 loss to Sholing a week earlier which was their first of 2025 and saw them finish with nine men.
“We fully deserved it, it should have been more,” said manager Danny Robinson.
“It was a perfect response, so I give full credit to the players.
“This week they bounced back and trained really well.
“We got straight back on the horse.
“We have a strong mentality.
“Even the youngsters have a brilliant attitude.”
Robinson was full of praise for Hooper’s performance, who controlled the affair in the middle.
“We signed Brad at the start of last season and he’s been a solid feature,” he said.
“He’s been excellent. One of the best footballing brains I’ve managed.
“His football IQ is off the charts.
“In the dressing room he’s bright and bubbly, he deserved that on Saturday.”
Hungerford are now six points off the play-offs with eight games remaining, and Robinson is taking each game as it comes.
“It doesn’t mean a thing unless we win our games,” he said.
“Havant and Dorchester are in the driving seat for that one spot that’s left.
“When you finish the game you do check other results, but we’re the ones who are chasing.
“We can’t afford too many more slip ups in the remaining games.
“This league is unforgiving.”
