Like an old friend coming to dinner the problems of early season appear to have appeared again where one week we can score several yet the next we draw a blank. Like the big bad wolf we huffed and puffed but Shortwood's house was cleverley built out of brick.

To be fair Shortwood were a well organised side who will take points off of all the top six sides but it was disapointing from Hungerford's view point that they could not convert serveral of the chances they carved out. In part this was due to bad luck, Ben Fitch twice hitting the crossbar, but good goal keeping, Wood's keeper was the over all man of the match  and wasteful finishing, I'm sure Conners would be the first to put his hand up. These factors all played their parts.

Shortwood possibly shadded the first half in the view of some Hungerford supporters and Alan Clark swapped Pilling for McMeeking at half time, this acted like a pinball tactical change system with Jim Smith going to a central sweeper type position,Paul Bedwell being pushed wider and wing backs being deployed or so it seems from the sidelines. Perhaps I wasn't the only one confused, and I have a personal dislike of the wing back system but although I really could not work out the second half formation, it did null the Shortwood threat they never looked like scoring in the second half.

Ben Fitch created the two best chances of the game, the first in the first half was a 30 yard hit that smashed into the underside of the bar but bounced out, his second chance midway through the second period was a header that was deflected onto the bar by the impressive Shortwood stopper. Indeed Fitch looked to be Hungerford's biggest danger from midfield compared to the lethargic duo of Clark & Mills. Edney on the other wing fadded in the second half after a bright start to the first although his position was too effected at half time.

On the whole it was a tired performance by the Hungerford team, perhaps they missed the Luke Brewer high energy action in midfield, but with all the other big guns winning it's two points dropped rather than one point gained.

Team

Roman - Split decision, some though he was solid other thought he was shakey, I lean towards the former although his kicking was a weakness

Pillsy - Changed at half time, Shortwood looked dangerous attacking his side

Jim Bob - A return to the form we know well and much better distriubution.

Tobs - A forgettable game, dwelt on the ball too long

Macca - Poor game with long balls hit up the field too much

Bedders - Put in some good blocks and was the pick of the central defense.

Edders - Good first half but fadded in the second

Millsy - His poorest game so far very quiet and passing was poor also

Gosser - A very poor game by his usual standards looked as though he had the weight of the world on his mind was that his worst game for Hungerford?

Conners - Missed 3 or 4 great chances, we would expect him to take one of those

Fitch - A bright spark on a dull afternoon, he kept trying when others faded, a couple of decent back to back games now. Was impromptu voted Hungerford's MOM

SUBS

Macca 2 - Seemed to play in a right wing back role probably not his favourite but did OK

Shandy - Not used  - Would have like to have seen him thrown on as a centre forward in the last 10

Thommo - Not used - Could he be the missing sweeper?

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