13th time unlucky for Hungerford

Manager slams 'lack of pride and passion' after first league defeat of the season

Hungerford Town 1 Bideford 2

HUNGERFORD'S 12-match unbeaten league run came to an end as Bideford deservedly went west with the points to leave Hungerford manager Bobby Wilkinson calling for more from his side.

“That one hurt,” he said. “But to be honest, it was coming.

“The problem we've got is that because we were eight points clear, everyone is thinking that we can afford to lose.

“But if you lose,” he added, “you have got to lose with a bit of pride and passion.

“We deserved to lose, without a shadow of a doubt, and now it's about how we react and move forward.”

Hungerford face another big task when they entertain a Sholing side on Tuesday that is just outside the top six but with games in hand, and they will have to perform much better than they did on Saturday if they are not going to see their once healthy lead wiped out.

Bideford always looked sharper and deservedly went ahead after 27 minutes when Hungerford's Harry Goodger failed to clear and Ben Wood snapped up a chance at the second attempt.

Hungerford got back on terms 10 minutes later with a superbly orchestrated goal, Nicholas Ogbanufe skipped around the back and measuring his cross perfectly for Luke Brewer to dive and head home.

But that goal failed to lift the home side, who conceded what was to be the winner just before the hour mark when Gareth Brown hailed down Kevin Squire and Richard Groves planted his free kick through a poorly positioned wall and an even more poorly positioned goalkeeper Michael Watkins.

LAMBOURN SPORTS reached the second round of the Hellenic League's Bluefin Insurance League Cup when they beat Highmoor Ibis on penalties at Bockhampton Road.

It was 4-4 after normal time with three of the goals coming in the last three minutes before Lambourn won 4-3 from the spot.

Richard Guy netted twice and Kirk Willmoth and Ben Matthews got the other goals in normal time.