Stones cast aside as Crusaders take a jump

Hungerford Town 2 Wealdstone 0

HUNGERFORD produced another performance to leapfrog Wealdstone in the Vanarama National League South table and leave a section of visiting supporters calling for the head of veteran manager Gordon Bartlett.

Stewards had to step in to cam down a section of Wealdstone supporters as others declared their support for the manager, but that was of little consequence to Hungerford as they scored twice in the second half to record a second successive home win an clean sheet.

A goal-less first half produced few clear-cut opportunities, although James Clark produced a couple of snap-shots and Daniel Green fired wide from Wealdstone’s best chance.

The second half got off to a lively start when Nat Jarvis played through Louis Soares, who looked just offside when he received the ball but was allowed to go on to slip the ball past goalkeeper Jonathan North before a linesman’s flag went up for offside, and Mike Jones sent a low shot skidding through a crowded box that forced North to get down well to save.

And it was Jones who was on the receiving end of a 59th minute shove from defender Ryheem Sheckleford that prompted referee Richard Hulme to point to the spot and Jarvis hammered home the spot kick to break the deadlock.

Hungerford maintained their momentum until midway through the half when Wealdstone began to exert heavy pressure and it was another test of the home side’s resolve. But it coped superbly and Wealdstone’s onslaught burned itself out in the latter stages, when Jarvis was bundled over by Liam Goulding and Luke Williams’ free kick was too much for North to hold and substitute Harry Googer swept home the rebound to wrap up the points.

Hungerford Town: Legg; Rusby, Day, Jones, Tyler; Clark, Herring, Williams, O’Brien; Soares; Jarvis. Subs: Gee, Goodger, Preen, Bignall, S. Brown.

Wealdstone: North; Sheckleford, Goulding, McLeod-Urquhart, C. Brown; Wright, Hunt, Green, Whichelow; Benyon, Green. Subs: Kabba, Hamblin, Koroma, Godfrey, Gibson.

Referee: Richard Hulme (Somerset). Attendance: 344.