Goodbye to that lean streak

Hungerford survive loss of goalkeeper to end a run of five straight defeats

Hungerford Town 2 Halesowen Town 0

HUNGERFORD'S five match-losing streak was finally ended as they accounted for faltering Halesowen at Bulpit Lane on Saturday.

They had to do it despite being without goalkeeper Stuart Wood for the final hour after he was injured following a collision with Halesowen striker Nathan Jackson.

But substitute striker Scott Griffin was calm and composed between the sticks and was given plenty of cover as Hungerford edged back into fourth spot in the table.

Hungerford started well and went ahead inside six minutes when Mark Draycott got the decisive touch after Chris Blackford and Diak John had split the visitors' defence. Jackson was booked for his lunge at John, and might have gone for challenging Wood, although it was more of an accident and the goalkeeper was caught off balance rather than with malice.

But the pressure came at the other end and Matt Day found space to send in a cross that cannoned around the box before falling for Luke Brewer to fire home from the edge of the area. Griffin coped perfectly with what little came at him, and Hungerford might have added to their tally after the break with Draycott having the chances to complete a hat-trick.

NEWBURY'S Hellenic League trip to Rayners Lane was called off on Saturday morning due to a waterlogged pitch. They are due to play on Tuesday night when they go to Didcot Town Reserves, who lost 5-2 at Lambourn on Saturday.