Danny delighted with impressive Crusaders following Chippenham triumph
Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson was full of praise for goalscorers Curtis Angell and Toby Thorp following his side's 3-2 win over local rivals Chippenham at a blustery Bulpit Lane on Saturday.
The pair are at different stages in their career, with reliable defender Angell fast approaching turning 30 and heading into his fourth season with the Crusaders, while academy graduate Thorp was making just his second appearance for Hungerford having signed terms with the club on Thursday.
This was a performance to be proud of for the entire team, with Angell's 40-yard wonder-goal drawing Hungerford level at 1-1 and Thorp's late winner making it 3-2 after the impressive Michael Fernandes had equalised for a second time on the hour.
The result means the Crusaders - who look much stronger and more combative than last season - are unbeaten in three pre-season friendlies so far and Robinson is pleased with how preparations are progressing.
"I'm delighted," he said.
"We conceded a couple of sloppy goals but we created the better chances and I thought we were the better side.
"To beat a National League South side, the level above us, is always going to be pleasing.
"We've still got a lot to work on, there's still six or seven players not fit enough to take part and we feel we can improve."
By and large, Robinson's recruitment has focused on experience - with a number of former club captains signing for the Crusaders - and physicality, but Hungerford have also agreed deals with two academy products, goalscorer Thorp and full-back Owain Wheeler.
Thorp won the penalty that led to the equaliser in Hungerford's 2-2 draw with Gloucester City on Tuesday night and scored the winner at the weekend, while Wheeler looked a strong and assured presence at left-back in a no less impressive showing.
Robinson said: "They look at home.
"We work hard in training and they don't look out of place at all.
"They're big and physical, which you've got to be at this level, technically very good and they've both shown me a willingness to learn.
"It's a good day for us, because it shows there is a pathway here - if you're good enough, you're old enough.
"Hopefully both of the lads will remember today for a long time."
Curtis Angell's left-footed rocket surprised everyone inside the ground - no doubt including himself - when he scored from 40 yards to make it 1-1 towards the end of the first half and Robinson was pleased to see his dependable full-back open his Crusaders account at the beginning of his fourth season.
"We'll never hear the end of it," he said.
"I turned round, so I didn't see it, because as soon as I saw him wind his foot back I thought, oh no.
"Curtis has been a real stalwart for me, especially at Thatcham and now at Hungerford.
"He isn't the best player in the world and he knows that, but he can defend, he's good in the changing room and he's so important for us."
Midfielder Jake Evans, who scored some crucial goals for Hungerford last season and was one of Robinson's standout players throughout the last three campaigns, returned to Bulpit Lane in a Chippenham shirt having swapped West Berkshire for Wiltshire in the summer.
While Robinson was understandably disappointed to lose one of his better players, he looks well-stocked in midfield, with Nathan Davis, George Smith, Brad Hooper, Sean Moore (?) and Joe Shepherd all showing positive signs in pre-season so far, with Callum Gunner still waiting in the wings.
Robinson said: "Jake was phenomenal during the three years he was here with me.
"He's one of the best players I've ever worked with, he gave absolutely everything for Hungerford Town and I don't begrudge anyone wanting to play at a higher level.
"I've worked hard to recruit in that area and I think I'll have a headache when they're all fit."
Perhaps one of the most striking things on returning to Bulpit Lane for the first time since May and the end of last season was the pitch, with the traditionally tricky surface looking much more hospitable - a small miracle given the recent weather conditions.
Robinson hopes his Hungerford side can make good use of the new surface and dominate the ball a bit more than last season, when the club finished bottom of the National League South.
"That's what we'll be trying to do," he said.
"I'm hoping we can do a bit less running than last season because we had to cover a lot of ground.
"We have to be better on the ball - and I don't feel we've been as good as I'd have liked in these first three games.
"You can see the endeavour is there and you can see the quality is there and it's something we've got to work on for when the season starts."
Meanwhile, Hungerford held their AGM on Friday and found out their opponents for the upcoming Southern Premier League season.
The Crusaders will kick-off with the visit of Plymouth Parkway on Saturday, August 5, followed by a testing trip to Chesham United on August 12 and a first midweek fixture of the campaign at Bracknell Town on August 15.
"We wanted a home game to start," Robinson said.
"We want the feel good factor back at this football club, which is hard after just getting relegated.
"The AGM showed me how much people care about this football club.
"Plymouth Parkway are a good side and then we go to Chesham, who I think will be right up there - I think whoever finishes above them will win the league - and then a local derby with Bracknell Town.
"We're really looking forward to it."
