Excitement builds ahead of local derby
Promotion chasing Hungerford and Thatcham are due to meet at Bulpit Lane on Monday
THE mind games are underway ahead of Monday's local derby with Hungerford manager Bobby Wilkinson claiming not to have thought about the match, while Thatcham boss Gary Ackling confessing his excitement ahead of the showdown.
Both West Berkshire sides have had impressive starts to the season with Hungerford currently in second place on 44 points in the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South and West Division, while Thatcham are in fourth on 41 points but with a game in hand.
The sides last met in the sixth game of the season at Waterside Park on August 29, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
At that time both sides were in fine form but Hungerford must go into Monday's game as the bookies favourites; not only are they at home but they have won their last three games, whereas Thatcham have lost two and drawn one.
But Thatcham boss Ackling has said he can't wait for the match.
“Big games like local derbies are why we're involved in football,” he said. “Hungerford is a club I've managed in the past, I know them very well. They have some of our former players and we have some of theirs so that adds to the spice.
“We'll be going to win the game. I don't think a draw is good for either side because Bideford are starting to open up a lead at the top of the table. Either way, one result won't effect the whole season.”
Although excited about Monday's game, Ackling said his first concern was the New Year's Eve fixture at home to Didcot Town, a sentiment echoed by Hungerford manager Wilkinson, whose side is travel to Wimborne on New Year's Eve.
“I've not thought about the Thatcham game because we have to beat Wimborne first,” Wilkinson said. “As soon as the WImborne game has finished then I can think about Thatcham.
“For me the Thatcham game is the same as any other. I take each game as it comes.”
Hungerford include new signing Raymond Spence in their squad for the game against Wimborne but defender Mattie Day and striker Luke Hopper are suspended. Wilkinson expects Spence, Reading Town's top scorer until the left for West Berkshire earlier this month, to also feature against Thatcham on Saturday.
Thatcham will be without the suspended Shane Kingston against Didcot but defender Sam Flegg and midfielder Tom Etheridge return from holiday and suspension respectively.
