What a disappointment as wing back Hungerford went out of the Vase after a poor game against Whitley Bay. Hungerford never seemed really to get going being more concerned with defending Whitley than attacking them. The first half was pretty even but neither side managed to get a shot on target. Hungerford did look the more lightly but stout defending blocked a couple of goal bound attempts from the ever busy Austin and the willing Gosling who looked to be Hungerford’s main threats.

Being goal less at half time and kicking down the slope you normal hope Hungerford will come flying out of the traps in a bid to get an early goal alas it was not to be and indeed a when Brewer and Jones went for the same header the ball found Whitley’s striker who evaded the challenge of Davis to score past a helpless Dominic Green. A soft goal to concede in vital game but such is Hungerford’s recent want.

The feeling was that a Hungerford response was surely due but only Austin managed to create a chance of note and his shot was parried just before the line. The game slipped into a kind of lull and despite the biggest crowd of the season being in attendance it was surely the strangest atmosphere with the team failing to lift the crowd and the clock ticking on. Powell was thrown on for Jones but despatched as a wing back and failed to give the home side some much needed width. With five minutes to go Edney the other wing back was replaced by Copp but it was still two minutes after that Concannon was finally thrown on the pitch. The last 2 minutes and injury time proving to be Hungerford’s most potent with Copp setting up Austin who’s powerful header was just tipped over the bar by a flying keeper. Toby Clarks goal bound lob from the resulting corner was dispatch in similar fashion but it was too little to late as Hungerford’s Vase pain continued in a game that was there for the taking.

Team

Dom – Good display, no chance with the goal good on crosses but little else to do.

Jones – Not a wing back and a nervous game

Bruiser – High tempo but not his greatest game.

Tobs – Struggled to get going again his recent form has been a concern

Macca N – The defence was pretty solid as was Macca

Bedders – ditto

Edders – Another reluctant wing back

Chaz – Hungerford’s motm never stopped working, and it looked like it really hurt

Fitch – Striker / Winger / Central midfielder? Where next for the much discussed Fitch?

Goz – Always a danger but never quite created that killer moment.

Davis – Another defender with little to do

Subs

Powell – Another reluctant wing back

Copp – ditto

Conners – 32 goals sat watching for 40mins of being 1 – 0 down?