No end to Hungerford's woe

[caption id="attachment_51473" align="alignleft" width="345" caption="Luke Hopper - brought down"][/caption]

They had plenty of possession but struggled to break down a Clevedon side that shook off a first half defensive re-shuffle and which always looked threatening with livewire winger Gianni Kapika a constant menace.
Kapika should have put his side ahead – or provided the chance to do so – when Mark Hughes was caught out of position and a long ball sent him racing down the left, cutting in with three men unmarked inside him. But he wasted the opening by shooting wide.
Jon Boardman went closest for Hungerford when heading over before Kapika got everything right by twisting his way into space before setting up Adi Adams for a simple finish. Bradley Gray offered Hungerford’s bets threat, an overhead effort drifting off course and two efforts narrowly missing the mark.
But it was Paul Strudley who was most tested at the other end, saving twice from and he was forced into action again at the start of the second period when saving form Cameron Ricketts before Hungerford got back into the game. Luke Hopper was clumsily brought down by Rory Prendergast and Mark Draycott tucked home the penalty kick.
Despite dominating play for most of the game thereafter, Hungerford struggled to make real openings against a solid rearguard. Draycott should have scored when Hopper’s effort was beaten out, but as time wore on, a Clevedon break looked more likely and it came 10 minutes from time when Curtis Jack hammered a free kick through the wall.
And it was settled three minutes from time when Adams got his second, set up by Ricketts to leave Hungerford with ground to make up on the leading contenders and needing a positive result when they go to Bishops Cleeve on Wednesday night.