Robinson delighted with Town form as Crusaders look to kick-start assault on play-off places

Hungerford Town manager Danny Robinson was delighted with his side’s crucial win against play off-chasing Totton, writes Sydney Basden.

In-form Hungerford delivered a statement victory against high-flying Totton this Saturday as Danny Robinson and the Crusaders supporters celebrated their sixth Southern Premier League win of the season.

Despite seven added minutes, Town had to hold on to a nervy one goal advantage and not let their recent history in letting leads slip affect them.

“The referee added on so much time I thought I was going to miss my Sunday dinner,” Robinson said.

Robinson went on to state that it was “one of our best performances on the road for a long, long time”.

Despite admitting Totton dominated the final quarter of the game as the home side went in search of an equaliser, the Hungerford manager was full of praise for his team and their brilliant defending.

He said: “I talk about our forward players, but the second half was all about our defenders – and Jack Alexander in front of them.

“We rode our luck a bit and Clarkey (Ryan Clarke), made one brilliant save in added time, but we showed we can do it. I couldn’t have asked for anymore from the players.”

The Crusaders have now secured six wins in their last nine games in all competitions and are now unbeaten in five.

“I think having a settled side helps,” Robinson said.

“We’ve had to bed in a lot of new players here.

“There are only two players here that were here from last season, so we knew it would take time.

“We are just starting to establish our best team, but we’ve also got a really good squad with players that can come into the side and make a difference.

“We’ve got a lot of good players at this football club and the league is so tight, so we feel like we’re right in and amongst it.”

Robinson has had to adapt to the recent departures from Bulpit Lane and admitted it has been disappointing to see a number of players head for the exit door over the last six weeks.

With the departures of Michael Fernandes, Curtis Angell, Nathan Davis and Luke Carnell in search of regular first team football, Robinson has suffered another blow with the loss of attacker Sean Moore, who has moved on due to work and personal commitments.

Robinson said: “He’s a great lad with a cracking attitude, and we’d like to wish him well.

“I’m sure all our fans will join me in wishing all these departures good luck for the future and thank them for their time and work at Bulpit Lane.”

Meanwhile, David Bremang, who scored five goals in five games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament at the back end of last term, has departed the club, with Robinson taking to a blog on the club website to explain the unfortunate saga.

“David Bremang has had his contract terminated by the club. He did not fulfil the commitment we expected of him,” he said.

In-form wingers Elis Watts and Adulai Sambu have put pen to the paper on deals to extend their spells in West Berkshire. Watts – nicknamed Giggsy due to his Welsh roots – has impressed on the left flank since signing from Weston-Super-Mare and signed a new deal, while Sambu has committed to a month long extension on his loan from Cheltenham.

“We’re delighted that Elis has committed his future to the club,” Robinson said.

“We wanted him in the summer, but he opted to stick with Weston-Super-Mare, which we respected.

“He was not in the team there and we managed to get him on the eve of the season and he has been fantastic ever since. He scores goals and makes them.”

On Sambu’s one month contract extension, Robinson is delighted with the start of the Cheltenham man.

Beginning on November 11, Hungerford will set out on a run of five consecutive home games.

This Saturday they welcome 15th-placed Hanwell Town, looking to continue their stellar form at Bulpit Lane.

Robinson said: “We’re unbeaten at home, Bulpit Lane has been a fortress.

“Teams don’t like coming to our ground. I don’t think anyone relishes it. It’s a difficult place to come and play football.”

“We’re in a decent position in the league, and we have got a couple of cup games too. There is no reason we can’t go and get seven or nine points from our next three, then we’d be in a great position.”