Hungerford target end to the slump

Thatcham sit on top but sit and wait while others set out to dislodge them

HUNGERFORD will be bidding to end their slump and return to the top of the Evo Stik League South table when they entertain cash-strapped Mangotsfield United on Saturday.

Hungerford have lost four of their past five legaue games and on Tuesday night exited the League Cup at home to Daventry Town in a run that has left manager Bobby Wilkinson bewildered by the downturn.

"I can't explain it," he said. "I can't fault the players' work-rate or attitude and recently we've been playing well, but it means nothing. These last few games we've been playing better than five weeks ago when we were winning games one-nil.

"But when you see the papers in the morning, it says we've lost, and you can't hide that

"But we can't afford to feel sorry for ourselves and have to go out there and stand up and be counted now."

Hungerford will have Stuart Wood in goal for ankle injury victim Michael Watkins and enw midfielder Pat Cox is in line to make his league debut for Hungerford.

THATCHAM will have to sit back and watch as others probably overhaul them to end their leadership of the table after only a week.

But manager Gary Ackling is happy that his side has hit the top spot, while acknowledging: "I'd rather be there at the end of April!

"The players deserve it," he said, " It's nice to be there and a bit of prestige for the club.

"We know it could only be for a week. Bideford, Hungerford and Paulton have winnable games and we could be fourth on Saturday night," he added. "But the players have worked hard and deserve it."

Thatcham return to action at Clevedon Town on December 3, when they will be without the suspended Scott Rees, Tom Melledew, Gareth Thomas and Sam Tucker.