Midfielder remains optimistic Crusaders can challenge despite stuttering start to the season

Hungerford Town midfielder Nathan Davis believes the Crusaders can still challenge for Southern Premier League promotion despite his new side’s stop-start beginning to the season.

Hungerford won six of their seven pre-season fixtures and blitzed Plymouth Parkway 7-0 on the opening day in August but have struggled for consistency since, winning just two of their next eight league games.

While the Crusaders are unbeaten at home, Danny Robinson’s side have only won once in their last six league games and were winless on the road until Tuesday night’s 3-2 success over rivals Swindon Supermarine.

Hungerford dominated for 85 minutes of Saturday’s frustrating 3-3 draw with Hayes and Yeading, with Davis having one of his best games in a Town shirt and dictating the midfield, but were made to settle for a point after conceding two goals in the final four minutes.

And, although Davis admits the weekend’s game felt like a defeat, the metronomic midfielder feels his side are showing a lot of positive signs moving forwards.

“We got a point, but it felt like a loss,” he said.

“It was so quiet in the changing room, we were gutted.

“It took us 10 minutes to get going but we were the better side, we had chances to kill the game.

“Football is all about fine margins, and we got punished for not taking our chances.

“We’re a new side, so we’re all still getting used to each other but I think we’re heading in the right direction – and we showed that for 85 minutes on Saturday.”

The Crusaders, who were relegated from the National League South last season, showed so much promise leading up to the new campaign and were many people’s favourites for promotion, especially after hitting Parkway for seven in their season opener.

Despite the fact it has proved increasingly tough going since then, with Hungerford now languishing in 14th in the table, Davis remains defiant and insists Town can still compete towards the top end of the league.

He said: “We made the perfect start but, as everyone knows, it’s a tough league with a lot of good sides.

“We had three red cards in the first four games and we’ve lost a couple of games by one goal, so if it wasn’t for a few mistakes and a bit of bad luck we could be in a different position.

“I think we’re finding our feet now.

“With the quality that we have, I still think 100 per cent we have enough to get promoted.

“If that isn’t the aim, then I don’t see the point – I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think we could challenge this season, it’s important never to sit still.

“Hungerford are a big club and I know their ambition is to bounce back, with a few tweaks we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

One of Hungerford’s two competitive wins on their travels this term came when the Crusaders hammered local rivals Chippenham 4-1 in the FA Cup, setting up a tantalising third qualifying round tie with former Football League club Torquay on Saturday.

Although the Gulls have fallen on hard times since, and were relegated to the National League South last season, the Devon outfit remain a big club and promise to provide a stern test for Hungerford down on the south-west coast.

Yet Davis admits he relishes the challenge, with the Crusaders now just two wins away from making it to the first round proper.

“Football all comes down to 90 minutes, and just about anything can happen on the day,” he said.

“It’s a big game, we know all about their quality.

“As we proved when we beat Chippenham, we can beat anyone on our day and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Davis, who has played for Calne Town and Frome Town, signed over the summer from Hellenic League side Corsham Town, and has thus stepped up two levels since putting pen to paper on a deal at Bulpit Lane.

The midfielder – industrious, good on the ball and tough in the tackle – certainly hasn’t looked out of place during the first few months at his new club, putting in a number of good performances and growing in stature as the weeks have progressed.

And, while Davis has been pleased with his start to life at his new club, he still feels like there’s more to come as he continues to get used to life in West Berkshire.

He said: “I knew it would be different and more difficult, but I back myself fully and I know what I can do.

“I’ve got full faith in my ability, so when Danny (Robinson) called me it was a no-brainer and I don’t feel like I’m out of my depth.

“I still want to show a bit more, but I’m ticking along and hopefully showing what I can do.”

Davis, who has already provided a number of assists from corners and his trademark long throw, is also extremely competent with the ball at his feet.

He is a fully-fledged England futsal international, making his debut against Thailand in 2018 and winning another 17 caps since, and feels his background in the small-sided game has helped him hone his skills in possession.

“I’m not sure what it is, I’ve always had a long throw, but I like to get on the ball and play football,” he said.

“I got involved in futsal when I was studying at Loughborough, the game is faster and you’ve got less time, so it’s definitely helped me become the football player that I am today.”

Hungerford take on Torquay in the FA Cup this weekend and don’t return to league action until a trip to play-off contenders Walton and Hersham, who are fifth, on October 10.