Danny Robinson outlines improvements as Hungerford Town are hit for three against Chippenham Town

Hungerford Town manager Danny Robinson apologised to the club’s supporters after his side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chippenham Town at Bulpit Lane on Tuesday.

The National League South clash, which attracted an excellent crowd of 764, was goalless at half-time, but a second-half brace from Harry Parsons and a strike from Luke Russe gave the visitors all three points.

Despite conceding three times in the second period, Robinson felt his side had the edge during the opening stages.

“I felt by large that we dominated the first 30 minutes in the first-half, but we didn’t really create a clear-cut opportunity.

“We had so many crosses going into the box and I was quite happy with the first-half performance, but the second-half is inexplicable from us and that is not a Hungerford Town side that we have become accustomed too.

“I apologise to every single person who walked through the gate supporting Hungerford because it was not acceptable.”

Hungerford failed to threaten the Chippenham goal on a number of occasions and being clinical in front of goal is what separated the two sides.

“They had three chances and three goals and we didn’t really create much as I don’t think their goalkeeper had much to save,” said Robinson.

“We had a lot of possession, but this league is about taking chances and being ruthless when you can and they did that and you have to give full credit to them for that.

“We will have a training session before Hampton and we’ll have to get it right.”

The Crusaders have won just two of their nine league matches at Bulpit Lane this season and it’s a problem Robinson knows his side have to improve.

“If our home form matched our away form then we’d be top of the table and it is mind-boggling.

“We have the mentality when we go away from home that we shall not be beaten, but we don’t do that at home.

“We need to work on it in the New Year and make Bulpit Lane a fortress because at the minute it’s a sandcastle and it hurts.”

He did, however, praise the supporters who turned up to support the players for the Bank Holiday clash.

“I am gutted for the supporters and it makes it worse for me, personally, because people have paid their hard-earned money and some people have been in isolation and it’s their first day out today.

“We wanted to put in a performance and it hurts, but it shows you how far this club has come in the last few years.

“Even before me, with Ian Herring and Bobby Wilkinson, I always thought this club was a fantastic football club and it’s what attracted me to this job.

“We want to keep moving forward both on and off the pitch,” he added.

Hungerford have another short break before they entertain Hampton & Richmond on January 3.

“They are a classy side, like Chippenham, so it will be really tough for us and we want to make sure we’re right for the game.

“Hopefully we’ll get some more players back and if we play anything like we did in the second-half [vs Chippenham] then we’ll get hammered.”