Crusaders are up for the Berks and Bucks Cup

Hungerford Town were emphatic 7-2 winners over Combined Counties side Sandhurst to progress to the next round of the Berks and Bucks Cup on Tuesday night.

A Ben Allen hat-trick – including two second half free-kicks within five minutes of each other – a brace from Callum Willmoth, a first competitive Crusaders strike from Reece Wylie and a second goal in two games for Niko Muir wrapped up a comprehensive win for Danny Robinson’s side.

The Crusaders have now scored 10 goals in their last two games, having scored five in 12 before that.

“We wanted to keep some momentum going, it was a pleasing performance,” Robinson said.

“It’s a bit of a no win situation when you’re big favourites, it was a professional performance.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Sandhurst, a very young side who are coached brilliantly well, I think they’re going to go on to bigger and better things.

“We’ve been working so hard on going forward, that’s been what we’ve been missing.

“We’ve recruited really well, we’re hopeful we’re going to keep scoring goals.

“We’ve scored 10 in two games, that’s more like a Danny Robinson side!”

Some managers consider cup games an unwelcome distraction, but a buoyant Robinson relishes every challenge, from the Berks and Bucks to the FA Cup.

He said: “I never understand that attitude, I want to win everything.

“Survival in the league is the ultimate aim, of course, but we’d really like to win some silverware as well.

“We made nine changes but we still put out a really good team, that shows the strength of the squad.”

Ben Allen’s hat-trick was another big positive for Robinson, the attacking midfielder having flitted in and out of the team since signing from Welling in the summer.

“He’s getting there, he’s a terrific technical footballer and he’s a fantastic person,” Robinson said.

“It’s what he does off the ball that needs to improve, at the start of the season he sulked, whinged and moaned but he’s not doing that now.

“It’s great to see him get a hat-trick, but I was happiest seeing him tracking back.”

Robinson’s side are back in National League South action this weekend with a trip to Dulwich Hamlet, a match that has a special significance for Robinson.

He said: “I’ve got family that are season ticket holders there, hopefully I’ll be the one celebrating this weekend.

“We all know the importance of the game, we’ll go there full of confidence.”