Brave Hungerford in play-off agony

HUNGERFORD TOWN manager Bobby Wilkinson had nothing but praise for and pride in his players who took the club to the brink of a play-off chance to win promotion into Conference League football.
In the end, a storming finish to beat Bideford in Saturday’s league climax was not quite enough to claim that chance as play-off rivals St Albans and Stourbridge grabbed the point apiece they needed to hold off Hungerford’s surge up the Calor League Premier Division table.
Wilkinson, whose record of FA Cup and Trophy runs plus ever-
rising league positions earned him a new contract in advance of Saturday’s game, handed the credit to his small but committed squad that has taken the club to unknown heights.
“I’m as proud of punch for them and what they have done,” he said. “They have been absolutely
outstanding from start to finish to give ourselves this opportunity.
“You’ve got to remember where we were 15 or 16 games ago and see what happened.
“The way we ended the game on Saturday shows that these boys are lions and never give up, and we’ve got 84 points and still not made the play-offs.
But let’s recognise what they’ve done. We’ve showed what we are and whatever anyone throws at us, we’ll take it and come back.
For the full report and reaction, pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday.