Jolly good show at Biggleswade

Brown and Tyler double up in convincing away win

Biggleswade Town 1 Hungerford Town 4

TWO goals apiece from Stefan Brown and Rhys Tyler ensured there would be no FA Trophy exit blues for Hungerford as they disposed of one of the sides vying for places around the Evo Stik League Southern’s play-off zone.

Manager Bobby Wilkinson re-shuffled his pack for the conditions, dispensing with his wide men and even leaving Mark Draycott out of the squad.

“I picked a team for the conditions,” said the manager. “We had to play to them, and those lads will be back next week.”

Brown and Tyler took the goal-scoring honours, but again Hungerford defended superbly and chased everything in midfield to gather the points.

They went ahead midway through the first half when Tyler crossed and goalkeeper Ian Brown misdirected his punch under Nat Jarvis’ threat and Brown struck form the edge of the area.

Biggleswade were soon back on terms when Ian Rees pounced on a rare loose ball outside the area to fire home, but Hungerford were back in front before the break when Diak John’s cross was neatly turned in by Brown.

Hungerford played the cloying surface sensibly after the interval and stretched their lead after 10 minutes when goalkeeper Brown made a mess of Stefan’s cross and Tyler pounced to score.

And with the home side’s bids to get back into it thwarted, the points were wrapped up when substitute Mike Jones’ trickery paved the way for Tyler to drive home his second.

Hungerford are back in action tonight (Monday) when they entertain Winchester City in the Red Insure League Cup at Bulpit Lane, with Draycott, Alan O’Brien and a number of first-teamers again supporting the club’s academy youngsters as they bid for a quarter-final place.

The winners will earn a home tie against either Godalming Town or Northwood in the week commencing February 13.

HUNGERFORD'S Academy side take on Dover Athletic in the third round of the Football Conference Alliance League Cup today (Monday) at Newbury FC's Faraday Road ground with a 1pm kick-off.