The FTL Futbol Hellenic League. Saturday, 18^th April, 2009.

Premier League.

Nervous Hungerford edge past plucky Wantage.

Hungerford Town F.C. 2 (1) Wantage Town F.C. 1 (1)

With the Wantage squad pared down to the bare bones and several players carrying knocks, this was always going to be a big ask against top of the table Hungerford. For the first ten minutes Hungerford pushed up their hill and threatened to swamp Wantage with forward numbers. In the 8^th minute, Darryl Simms in the Wantage goal saved well from Graham Edney, as Wantage resisted the Hungerford pressure. As the half developed, the Wantage midfield, Ellis Langford in particular, began to win more of the ball. In the 16^th minute Richard Guy, returning to his old Club, saw his left footed cross / shot strike the Hungerford post. The game began to swing from end to end. Edney again had an opportunity in the 22^nd minute as he slid in unmarked to push the ball narrowly wide of the Wantage post. At the other end Danny Keen struck a thunderbolt free kick only inches wide of the Hungerford upright. On the half hour, Ian Concannon contrived to drive over the bar from close in, as the Wantage defence struggled to get to the Hungerford striker. A minute later Wantage took the lead with an extremely well taken goal. Ellis Langford’s precision through ball was carried on by Richard Guy, who let fly a tremendous left footed drove that gave Andrew Bayliss no chance in the Hungerford goal. But only a minute later, a terrible mix-up in the Wantage defence let in Pete Machlin, who was left to slide the ball past Simms to level the score for the home side.

As Hungerford came down the slope in the second half, Wantage did well to break up their rhythm and frustrate. Four minutes into the half Wantage should have taken the lead when Sean McKeon was put through, but his effort was well saved by Bayliss. At the other end Darryl Simms saved well as Wantage conceded too much ground to the advancing Hungerford attack. Simms was brought into action again in the 52^nd minute, when saving well from James Lewis. Wantage substitute Jake Rowe shot over the bar after great build-up play from Wantage as they worked the ball up the slope. The Wantage defence was working overtime to resist Hungerford as they chased the winner. Ian Concannon drew another great save from Darryl Simms, before in the 80^th minute, Nick McCrae’s perfectly floated clip into the box found the head of Pete Machlin, who nodded the ball over the advancing Simms into the Wantage net to give the home side the lead. Two minutes later, Wantage substitute Alex Lynch narrowly missed when well placed, after great Wantage build-up play, and Wantage had missed their chance to equalise.

This was a creditable performance from Wantage, who defended strongly. Captain Gary Swann and Adam Learoyd in particular excelled. Manager Richie Bourne now has to pick up the bits of an injury ravaged squad in order to turn in home performances against Shortwood on Wednesday, and Pegasus on Saturday, with the objective of securing 9^th or 10^th position in the final league placings.

Team. Darryl Simms, Tom Rowe, Gary Swann, Andy Wallbridge, Adam Learoyd, Ellis Langford,

Richard Guy, Danny Keen, Gavin Jones, Sean McKeon, Liam McCullough.

Subs. Alex Lynch, Jake Rowe, Richie Bourne.