Robinson looking forward to Hungerford’s Boxing Day clash with Merthyr Town

Hungerford Town fell to a 1-0 loss away at Gosport Borough on Saturday in what Danny Robinson admitted was a poor advert for the league.

Injuries and illness saw Forest Green loanee Jose Marquez make his full debut for the club out wide, while Alefe Santos also replaced Brandon Curtis to accompany him.

Marquez and Kyle Tooze caused early problems, forcing a corner in the opening stages.

Tooze was flagged offside multiple times as he kept the Gosport defence on their toes with his runs in behind.

Gosport’s goal came on the brink of half-time, as Asher Yearwood bent a free kick into the top corner leaving Ryan Clarke with no chance.

This was perhaps the one piece of quality in the game, as the two sides struggled to create much in the wintery conditions.

Santos and Ramarni Medford-Smith each saw chances go just wide in the space of a minute, before Matt Berry-Hargreaves saw a shot go over the bar.

George Smith had a chance to snatch a point in the dying stages, but put it just wide as the Crusaders left Gosport narrowly defeated.

“No goalkeeper really had a save to make,” Robinson reflected.

“They had two long range shots, Toozey could have got a toe on something.

“Jose Marquez didn’t realise how much time he had in the box, he could’ve rolled it in the net with a better touch.

“But the second half was a non-event really.

“It was a silly free kick to give away, and he sticks it right in the top bins.

“It wasn’t a great game by any stretch of the imagination.

“It wasn’t a great advert for the division by any stretch.”

Robinson praised youngster Marquez, who has shown maturity since arriving from Forest Green.

“He’s been excellent,” he said.

“He’s going to be a hell of a player.

“He’s already non-league ready, with the physicality.

“He’s integrated incredibly well and he seems to be happy.”

Hungerford play again on Boxing Day, facing league leaders Merthyr Town at Bulpit Lane, with Robinson telling his players to be sensible leading up to it.

“You give up so much, you give up family,” he said.

“You have to try and be disciplined as much as you can.

“On Boxing day we’re up against the best in the division.

“They’re top of the league for a reason.

“We’re getting there, and we'll make it difficult.

“We’ll be full of passion, and we do want to take it to them as much as we can.

“But we have to be clever in the way we go about it.

“I told them to enjoy themselves, but not too much.

“The only Christmas present that we all want is to win on Boxing Day.