No cup magic for Crusaders as Hungerford crash out

Danny Robinson’s Hungerford Town crashed out of the FA Cup at the Second Qualifying Round following a 3-1 defeat at home to Gloucester City.

Hungerford had started well, taking the lead 20 minutes in when Leighton Thomas rose highest to head home his first competitive Crusaders goal from Ben Allen’s free-kick.

The hosts weren’t ahead for long, however, and it was 1-1 10 minutes later when Gloucester’s Owen Evans poked the ball past Tommy Rees in the Hungerford goal.

Into the second half and Hungerford had the chance to retake the lead on 70 minutes when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after Thomas went down following a push in the back.

Allen stepped up, looking to restore Hungerford’s lead, but his spot-kick was saved by Gloucester’s Brandon Hall and the scores remained level.

Up the other end and Tre Mitford put the Tigers ahead five minutes later before things went from bad to worse on 77 minutes when striker Niko Muir was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Hungerford pressed for an equaliser but former Bristol Rovers man Kieran Phillips sealed the Crusaders fate, curling beyond Rees to make it 3-1 a minute before the referee’s final whistle.

“I didn’t think we had enough conviction in the box, you have to take everything with you if you want to score goals,” Robinson said.

“We had a few good chances even before the penalty, Leighton Thomas had a golden opportunity to put us ahead right on the stroke of half time.

“It’s not much to do with luck, we just haven’t been good enough when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net.

“Right now I'm bitterly disappointed and frustrated, but I’m sure goals will come.

“I don’t want to sound like a broken record but I have every faith in my players.”

Hungerford looked to bolster their attacking options last week with the signing of Conor Lynch, who returns for a second spell at Bulpit Lane following stints at Basingstoke and Bracknell.

Robinson said: “Conor Lynch is a goalscorer, he can put the ball in the back of the net.

“He’s a local lad, he knows the club well, we’re delighted to have him.”

That news came after the club announced former Derry City frontman Adam Liddle had left the club, having failed to score in eight appearances since he signed from Walton Casuals in the summer.

“Disappointed to lose Adam, he called me up and told me he feels like he wants to chance his arm somewhere else,” Robinson said.

“He’s a top lad, a terrific player full of hard work and endeavour, hopefully he goes and does well.”

Elsewhere, Bristol Rovers loanee Jed Ward extended his deal until the end of the season while former Bracknell stopper Mark Scott left the club.

Robinson said: “Jed’s been phenomenal, so professional, he’s got a massive future in the game and we’re excited to be a part of his journey, that’s for sure.”

The Crusaders, buoyed by the news the impressive Matt Berry-Hargreaves has signed a new contract, will be looking to kick-start their season this weekend when they welcome league leaders Ebbsfleet to Bulpit Lane.

The Kent outfit promise to pose a stern test, having won all eight of their league games so far.

"I think whoever finishes above Ebbsfleet will win the league," Robinson said.

"This league is full of have's and have not's, Ebbsfleet have and we have not.

"If we're going to try and turn a corner, why not do it in front of our own fans against one of the league's best teams."