Bounce back time for beaten rivals

FA Trophy ties for Hungerford and Thatcham as they look to shake off first defeats of the season

HUNGERFORD and Thatcham bid to shake off losing weeks when they step into FA Trophy action on Saturday.

Hungerford's midweek FA Cup exit at Weymouth's hands was their first defeat of the season, while Thatcham's downfall at Halesowen on Saturday ended their unbeaten league status.

"We had to lose sometime and knew the run had to end," said Hungerford boss Bobby Wilkinson "But I did not want it to end like that!

"Now the question is how we react to it?"

Thatcham manager Gary Ackling echoed the feeling, saying: "Is a now question of how we bounce back after Saturday," he said.

Hungerford have FA Cup-tied goalkeeper Stuart Wood back to replace Reading teenager Stuart Moore for Saturday's Trophy trip to Yate Town, while Thatcham entertain North Leigh at Watterside Park and are waiting on Scott Rees, Jemel Johnson and Matt Bowler, who all picked up knocks in a midweek reserve team run-out. Shane Kingston and Mark Hughes return, but midfielder Jack Smillie has left the club after failing to secure a regular midfield spot.