Mixed results, but increasing fitness as pre-season rolls on for local sides

Hungerford Town Football Club continued their pre-season schedule last week, with all members of their sizable squad getting much needed minutes.

Tuesday 16th saw a clash with National League South side Hampton & Richmond at Bulpit Lane.

Rolling substitutions meant that the team changed consistently throughout the clash, but the starting lineup saw a mixture of familiar faces and exciting new arrivals.

Ryan Clarke started in goal, behind a back four of Jack Stanley, Matt Berry-Hargreaves, Jack Wright and Ramarni Medford-Smith.

A midfield three saw a returning Louis McGrory join Player of the Season Joe Shepherd and Sam De St Croix, whilst striker James Harding was flanked by Elis Watts and Zidan Akers.

Two first-half goals for the visitors would go without reply, consigning Town to defeat, although manager Danny Robinson has admitted that fitness and conditioning is the primary objective throughout pre-season.

Saturday saw the visit of another side from the league above, as Chippenham Town travelled to Bulpit Lane.

Danny Robinson’s side saw four changes, as young centre-back Luke Softley came in for Jack Wright, Brad Hooper replaced Joe Shepherd, Jacob Bancroft took Watts’ place on the wing and Conor McDonagh started up front.

The result however, was the same. Another loss, this time 3-1, but one which won’t cause Robinson and his coaches much concern.

An Elis Watts goal from the bench was a late consolation, as the Crusaders gained more valuable minutes ahead of the first game of the season in a fortnight’s time.

Thatcham Town’s Summer continued with another two friendlies.

A clash with Wokingham Town last Tuesday ended 1-1 at the Mettal Stadium, in what was described as a “good workout” for both sides.

Saturday saw a trip to Basingstoke Town, as the clubs came together for former Hungerford Town goalkeeper Paul Strudley’s testimonial match.

Thatcham took an early lead on the half-hour mark, but fell to a 3-1 defeat at Winklebury Football Complex.

Tadley Calleva travelled to Woking FC’s Academy last week, winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Jack French, Sheldon Wright and Connor Thorne.

A trip to Runnymede to face Egham Town ended in less enjoyable fashion, as Calleva lost 5-1.