Crusaders denied flying start by Concord Rangers
Hungerford Town began their National League South season at Bulpit Lane on Saturday but it was a resolute Concord Rangers who went home with all three points thanks to a late goal from Ricky Modeste.
It was a Crusaders side that included four debutants – Mark Scott in goal and Joel Rollinson, Adam Liddle and Niko Muir in attack – but Robinson’s men were left to rue struggles in front of goal.
Hungerford, who were the better side for much of the first half, had the first real chance of the game when Rollinson blasted over from the edge of the box 17 minutes in.
Nevertheless, an organised Concord stuck to their task well and were almost rewarded before half time when Scott made a sharp save to keep out Ryan Blackman’s free kick following a rash challenge from Louis McGrory.
Into the second half and the lively Rollinson, who was awarded the home man of the match, had a couple of decent chances while Muir and Jake Evans both sent half volleys into the stands.
The best chance of the game then fell to Curtis Angell but his shot from close range was saved by former Chesterfield and Darlington man Melvin Minter in the Concord goal.
Robinson introduced Kamaron English and Leighton Thomas from the bench, but it was up the other end where the game’s decisive moment played out.
With 81 minutes on the clock a skewed Matt Berry-Hargreaves clearance found experienced Grenada international Ricky Modeste who turned sharply before delightfully curling the ball beyond Mark Scott from 15 yards.
Hungerford continued to huff and puff and there was time for one final piece of drama when a late goalmouth scramble was cleared off the Concord line, but it was to be the visitors who would return home with three points on the opening day.
“I might sound a bit like a broken record from pre-season, I’m really happy with the performance levels, but at the end of the day we didn’t get the result, I have to say fair play to Concord,” said a disappointed Danny Robinson.
“I thought we were far the better side throughout the game and then one moment of brilliance from Ricky Modeste is the difference.
“That’s what happens at this level, we could’ve done better with the goal, we had to stop him from turning, we know he’s a top, top player.”
Robinson also felt aggrieved that Hungerford were denied a penalty following a second half challenge on the marauding McGrory.
“It’s the opening day, nothing’s won, nothing’s lost, if we have those performance levels we won’t be too far away,” he said.
“We need a bit of luck in front of goal, we had one cleared off the line last minute and we’ve had an absolute stonewall penalty turned down, he almost took Louis McGrory’s head off.
“That’s football, I’m sure we’ll get some throughout the course of the season, we just didn’t get them today.”
Robinson was unable to call upon the services of striker Chris Flood, who requires surgery on an injury that’s expected to keep him out for most of the coming season.
“We could’ve used him today, that’s our luck at the minute, fingers crossed he might not be out for the whole season but we don’t know yet, he’s got a bit of rehab to do before having the operation.
“He’s a proven player in this league, to lose him so late on in pre-season is gutting, it’s a real hard blow to take.”
The Crusaders face a long trip to National League South new boys Dover Athletic at the weekend.
The Whites have been plagued by off the field problems in recent years but kicked off the new season with a 1-1 draw at Worthing.
“We’re not meant to go to Dover and get anything, look at the size of the club, there’s no pressure here at Hungerford Town, we know what we can do.”
A defiant Danny Robinson and his side will arrive at the Crabble with their backs against the wall – fortunately, that’s exactly what Hungerford do best.