Robinson hails two moments of quality as clinical Crusaders get the better of Harrow Borough
Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson hailed another good week for his side after the Crusaders extended their unbeaten home run to 13 matches following a 2-1 win over Harrow Borough this afternoon.
Jack Wright volleyed the Crusaders ahead after 74 minutes when he scored his first Town goal from Matt Berry-Hargreaves' diagonal free-kick before Sam De St Croix doubled the home side's lead with a cool finish eight minutes from time. Pap Jawara pulled one back in the sixth and final minute of added time, but the referee blew his whistle 30 seconds later as the hosts made it three wins in seven days.
"It wasn't our best performance, not by a million miles," Robinson said.
"I thought, first half, we were not great at all. I have to give massive credit to Harrow Borough for that, they're a good side. I think they're one of the better sides we've played here.
"We just needed those special moments. It's a great cross from Bez (Matt Berry-Hargreaves) to find Jack Wright and then Great (Evans) has done brilliantly to set up Sam De St Croix. It was two moments of quality that decided the game.
"You've always got to be pleased with three points come five o'clock on a Saturday."
Robinson made a statement of intent when he introduced Great Evans from the bench with a little over 20 minutes left to play and the score still 0-0. Evans replaced winger Adulai Sambu and partnered Conor McDonagh up top as Town switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2. The popular striker, who scored his first goal since returning from a serious knee injury in last Saturday's FA Trophy win over Truro and then bagged a brace in the Berks and Bucks Cup in midweek, made the second goal when he stole possession and slid in Sam De St Croix, leaving Robinson delighted with his attacking options.
He said: "Great has had a good week. We know what we get with him, he's a wonderful, wonderful human being and a very good footballer.
"With the formation that we play, Conor plays through the middle, but he is going to keep him very honest. We've shown that we can play with both of them.
"I'm really pleased with him, he's had a brilliant week and it's been a long journey back. We're delighted."
Robinson was also happy to see his side score from a set-piece when Jack Wright blasted in the opener from Matt Berry-Hargreaves' diagonal free-kick. Town are a big, strong and physical side and always pose a threat at set-pieces, although that's arguably been slightly reduced in recent weeks following the departure of towering defender Luke Carnell. The manager stressed the importance of set-pieces, with Town trying out a number from the training ground.
"Set-pieces are a massive part of non-league football. They're a massive part of football in general. You've even got a lot of professional sides with their own set-piece coaches," he said.
"It's something that we work on and something we feel we can be a threat from. We were today.
"It was a wonderful ball from Bez, and I have to give a special mention to him. He filled in at right-back and he was superb."
The one bit of bad news for Robinson came just before the break when skipper Rhys Tyler limped off after going down holding his right hamstring. The manager confirmed the full-back had injured the muscle, with the full extent of the injury still to be discovered. There is some positive news on the injury front, with experienced goalkeeper Ryan Clarke in line for a return next weekend following a dead leg he picked up against Hanwell Town three weeks ago.
He said: "It's his hamstring, so we'll have to assess it this week.
"We haven't got a midweek game – thank God – so we'll see, but I'd have thought he'll be out for two to three weeks at least.
"Ryan Clarke will hopefully be back next week, so I've got a big decision to make because Nick Harvey's been brilliant.
"Bar Rhys, the squad is pretty much healthy and fit, so we're not in a bad position at all."
Hungerford, who are up to eighth and just two points outside the play-off places, are on the road for the first time in four weeks on Saturday when they travel to Tiverton, who are unbeaten in three games since the appointment of new manager Leigh Robinson.
"Tiverton have really picked up, I know the assistant manager and they've had a couple of terrific results," Robinson said.
"It's the journey, it's getting down there and everything – but that's why we do football, that's why we do non-league. We're very much looking forward to it."
