Southern League Premier South
So, after seven months away thanks to destroying three ligaments in my foot taking part in an ultra challenge event in June, I was finally able to resume wandering again and my first port of call was to be Hungerford Town. The Crusaders are reasonably local to me but this was to be a fourth attempt to take in a game at Bulpit Lane and, after having to admit defeat on the previous three due to two postponements and a rail strike, I was overjoyed to see confirmation of the game going ahead on social media in the morning. A fantastic effort from all the volunteers at the club to get the game on considering the recent weather.
The train journey was eventful, it seems nothing has changed during my absence as we had a delay due to a signalling problem on the first train of the day! With my planned train at Reading out of the window I decided to take an extra train, changing at Newbury before heading on to Hungerford. It was there I was sat next to a lady who looked and even laughed like Nursey from Blackadder. At least I ended the journey with a smile on my face!
I reached the ground to be welcomed outside and in by the very friendly volunteers at the club. Entrance was £14 and a very good printed programme was £3. Next stop as usual was the food hut and, while disappointed to learn the Bulpit Beast was no more, still enjoyed a 6oz burger with cheese and fried onions for £5. I was a very happy bunny to find the club had two Thatchers ciders on draft and in cans outside, £4 for a can and £5 for a pint (other drinks also available in the bar!)
With the news during the week that the home side are having to cut the cloth and encountering a shortfall of funds, the Gosport Borough fans contacted the club asking if the bar could open at 12pm. After talking to several of their supporters it transpired, they usually find a pub to go to on their travels but wanted to put their money into the hosts coffers instead which was a lovely gesture. It’s always good to see the football family helping out those teams in need.
Onto the game and unfortunately the rain returned about 30 minutes before kick off and continued all through the first half, which lead to difficult conditions and a very scrappy first 45 minutes. The visitors started brighter, an early corner from Benny Read found the head of Matthew Buse which sailed over the bar, and next the ball fell to Kaya Tshaka in the box but his first time shot flashed narrowly wide.
Hungerford’s only attacks of note in the first period saw Carter Bowdery pick up a loose ball in midfield before driving into the box but his effort clip across was too high. On half time a Joe Shepherd corner was met by Charlie Austin only for it to again go over the top.
H-T: Hungerford Town 0 Gosport Borough 0
Five minutes into the second half the game exploded into life, a long ball down the middle from the hosts was heading on into the path of Kyle Tooze and he fired a shot past Henry Blackledge and into the top left corner. 1-0
Gosport tried to respond and, following some scrappy play in the home defence, the ball fell to Buse inside the box but his snapshot was superbly saved by Luke Cairney.
On 62 minutes the hosts doubled their lead. A sweeping attack down the right with Tooze finding Andrio Brandao wide, his cross was half cleared but fell to Bowdery just inside the box, Blackledge got a hand to his fierce shot but could only deflect it into the top corner. 2-0
Again, Gosport tried to respond but the Hungerford defence help firm. The home side nearly went further ahead in the 75th minute when Ewan Lynch forced a tremendous fingertip save from Blackledge. From there on in the visitors attack kept probing but couldn’t find a way through the solid Hungerford defence and they successfully saw the game out to upset the form book.
F-T: Hungerford Town 2 Gosport Borough 0 Att: 397
I thoroughly enjoyed my day out at Bulpit Lane, chatted with many wonderful people from both sides and I doubt this will be the last time I see either club. A special mention to the visiting fans again, they did not stop singing all game and are definitely a credit to the club. They seem a great bunch and a visit to Privett Park has now been pencilled in for next season!
Thanks to everyone involved for making it such a memorable return to watching the joys of non-league football, despite the weather!