Sides look forward to local derby

Hungerford Town and Thatcham Town will meet at Bulpit Lane in the league on Tuesday night

HUNGERFORD and Thatcham stage their delayed local league derby at Hungerford on Tuesday night.

The sides have already met once this season, when Hungerford won 3-1 in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup at Waterside Park. But now they meet in league action with Hungerford chasing a promotion play-off spot and Thatcham still settling after the mid-season managerial switch.

Hungerford must first travel to Bishops Cleeve on Saturday when manager Bobby Wilkinson will be looking to his side to stretch an unbeaten league record going back to October 12.

"We are in a good position," said Wilkinson. "If anybody had told me at the start of the season that we would be where we are, then I would have been delighted with that.

"All I want us to do is to keep picking up away points and win our home games and the aim is to be in the play-offs when we have played our games in hand."

Thatcham have a weekend off before heading to Hungerford. "We are obviously the underdogs," said manager Gary Ackling. "Hungerford are going well and have a good squad, and to be honest, we haven't played well in our last couple of games.

"But if we can play as we did against Gosport and Abingdon, then we could have a chance."

Thatcham have been boosted by skipper Gareth Thomas turning down a proposed move to Abingdon United, and they have also brought in speedy striker Charlie Mpi on a dual registration deal with Maidenhead United. They also have Matt Bowler and Mario Nurse fit again.

Hungerford have a clean bill of health apart from reserve goalkeeper James Foster, who is undergoing a hernia operation.

Newbury are without a game on Saturday as scheduled opponents Woodley Town are involved in a cup tie.