Hungerford keep Trophy dream alive

Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson was a relieved man after his side made it through to the fourth round of the FA Trophy, winning the biggest penalty shootout of the weekend – at least in West Berkshire.

The Crusaders were taking on Isthmian League side Heybridge Swifts, who demolished full time outfit Hereford 3-0 in the last round, and had to come from behind after Ross Wall’s first half strike.

Jake Evans got the visitors back on level terms with a 63rd minute free kick and while Hungerford were unable to force a winner in normal time, five perfect penalties saw them through to the next round, setting up a tie with Tamworth.

“We’ve never practised penalties, and to be honest I wanted to choose who took them until Darts (assistant manager Andy Darnton) talked sense into me and we let the lads work it out,” Robinson said.

“Like the last round it’s difficult because it’s a bit of a hiding to nothing, a National League club against a Step 4 club, everyone thinks there should only be one winner.

“It was a really difficult game and we had to adjust to the 3G surface, which is obviously different to what we’re used to.

“Heybridge are a good team, they’ve got four or five players that could play National League football with their eyes closed.

“We started the game well but Heybridge were the better side from 10 minutes until they scored their goal, which they fully deserved.

“We responded really well and probably should have won the game in normal time, we got the job done in the end.

“I’m delighted for Jake (Evans), I think he’s been unfairly treated at times this season, he’s a special player and I fully believe he can make it back to full time football.”

After their midweek clash with Chelmsford City was postponed, Hungerford won’t return to action until Boxing Day when they welcome Farnborough to Bulpit Lane, hoping to find a way off the bottom of the National League South table.

Robinson said: “We run a tight ship at Hungerford so it’s been hard from a financial point of view not having a home game since December 3, we can't wait to get going again.

"We're all too aware of the challenge facing us but we believe we can get out of it, we need a run of results and we think we're capable of beating Farnborough."