Hungerford Town battle past Basingstoke Town thanks to former Aston Villa youngster Luke Softley’s winner

Hungerford Town had to battle the boggy conditions as well as their opponents on Saturday.

They faced a visiting Basingstoke Town side who were looking to put an end to Hungerford’s unbeaten 2025.

They arrived with former Crusaders James Clark and Liam Ferdinand in their ranks, although they could do little to hold back Hungerford’s early attacking waves.

The breakthrough came quickly for Hungerford, as Jose Marquez jinked his way into the box in trademark fashion before being brought down.

Louis McGrory made no mistake from the spot to give his side a 1-0 lead within ten minutes.

Following this, the game descended into a midfield scrap, as the sides traded possession at a muddy Bulpit Lane.

Marquez continued to cause problems, before centre-back Jordan Rose, relishing the conditions, saw a header saved.

Strike partners Marquez and Kyle Tooze combined well to create multiple chances, but were unable to double the lead.

The second-half saw young Marquez miss a number of chances, enough for a hat-trick on a different day.

It was young centre-back Luke Softley who put the game to bed, rising athletically from the edge of the box to meet a corner and find the net.

Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe came off the bench and hit the bar from a free-kick, before a 97th minute penalty provided consolation for Basingstoke.

Hungerford are now eight league games unbeaten in 2025.

“It was tough going,” said manager Danny Robinson, reflecting on the conditions.

“On Saturday morning it decided to hammer down.

“But we’re used to it, it’s non-league football and you have to battle all elements.

“It was a big battling performance and I felt it should have been more.

“All in all a very good result for us.”

Jordan Rose and Luke Softley both stepped up on Saturday, defending the box well and looking at home on a testing surface.

“Jordan has been an absolute colossus since he walked in the door,” he said.

“He’s a man mountain and a brilliant human being.

“He headed absolutely everything, every cross, any long ball.

“Luke has played more games this season than he ever has at this level.

“But he’s getting better and better.

“It’s clear for all to see just how far he’s come in a year and a half.

“He’s got a willingness to learn, and since Gareth Thomas has come in as our head coach he’s worked wonders with him.”

There has been a change between the sticks, with keeper Ryan Clarke injured in the midweek penalty shootout with MK Dons.

Redman Evans, a 19-year-old stopper, arrived from Swindon on loan having shown promise at Westbury United a tier below.

“Ryan has an intercostal muscle problem,” he explained.

“We don’t know how long it will be, but he’s starting to feel a bit better.

“We have to thank Steve Mildenhall at Swindon for the emergency loan.

“Redman didn’t have a lot to do, but what he did do, he did very well.”