Hungerford enjoying the good times

Crusaders draw Chester in FA Trophy

LIFE’S pretty good at Hungerford Town these days.
Lying third in the Evo Stik Southern Premier Division table; on a 12-match unbeaten run; into the second round proper of the FA Trophy; and now with one of the biggest matches in the club’s history looming large.
The Crusaders’ reward for seeing off Corinthian Casuals 2-1 in the first round of the Trophy was a draw at Vanarama National League Premier side Chester on January 16.
So no wonder manager Bobby Wilkinson was delighted to be able to pit his wits against one of the biggest non-league clubs in the country.
Chester are currently 15th in the Vanarama Premier, but regularly draw crowds of more than 2,000 and boast an excellent pitch, which is used by Liverpool Reserves
Wilkinson, who added to the feelgood factor at Bulpit Lane recently by signing a new two-year deal, said: “What a draw – we are absolutely buzzing.
“We want to go against the best so I am overjoyed with this and we will go there to win.
“I was asked if I would rather have a big club, or a team that we should beat. I want to play a big club and beat them!
“Games like these are the reason we work so hard and the players have earned it.
“But they won’t be going to Chester to enjoy it – they will be going there to win.”
Hungerford’s recent unbeaten run – eight wins and four draws – has not gone unnoticed as they were named as the Evo Stik League’s Team of the Month.
But they were denied the chance to extend that run as Monday’s league game at home to Leamington was postponed because of the Midlands side’s Trophy commitments.
Wilkinson said: “That was a big shame, but we haven’t got a game until Boxing Day now and that will give the boys a chance to freshen up and have a couple of days off.”
There’s no chance that Hungerford will be slacking, though, as they will be in for training twice before travelling to second-placed Chippenham Town in a crunch clash on Boxing Day.