Reading Chronicle | Sport | Hungerford hoping to pile on the misery

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 29th April, 2008 10:00

Hungerford hoping to pile on the misery

Almondsbury missed out on the Hellenic League Premier Division title in heart-breaking fashion on the final day of the season last Saturday.

Having led the table for most of the season, they only required a point from their visit to struggling Abingdon Town to claim the title.

However, a shock 1-0 defeat handed the honours to North Leigh on goal difference in the most dramatic fashion, with the Oxfordshire-based club – who had completed their campaign 48 hours earlier with an 8-0 victory at Wallingford – eventually taking the championship by two goals.

And Hungerford boss Alan Clark admits Almondsbury’s stunning defeat could be a mixed blessing for his side as they attempt to finish their season with some silverware.

He said: “To lose the title on the last day of the season like that after dominating for so long must be horrendous and they’ll be under huge pressure this weekend.

“It could go one of two ways: they could be so low that it will be difficult to lift themselves in time for the final; or missing out on the title could make them doubly determined to win the cup and finish the season with some silverware.

“If we can get our noses in front then their heads might drop and they might think ‘here we go again’.

“It’s going to be tight as they never thrash teams by six or seven goals but they’re very tough to beat. However, we’ve beaten them recently so we know what to do.”

Hungerford secured a 1-0 victory at Almondsbury in early April but their chances of repeating that victory have been hit by the news that both Paul Bedwell and Luke Brewer will be suspended for the big cup clash.

Hot-shot Ian Concannon is definitely available, however, and could be the man to fire Hungerford to glory after he took his goal tally for the season through the half century mark in last weekend’s 5-1 demolition of Lydney Town.

Concannon bagged four of Town’s goals in the victory, with full-back Mark Jones netting the other, although his last day heroics weren’t quite enough to secure him the Golden Boot award.

The Hellenic League was still waiting to confirm the final Golden Boot standings but it appeared that Concannon (54) had been edged into second place by just one goal by North Leigh’s Mark Simms (55).

Concannon was also on target in Town’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Carterton last week.

Graham Edney and Concannon put Hungerford 2-0 up but Carterton hit back to take a 3-2 lead and it required a last minute own goal to salvage a point for Clark’s side.

That draw and the victory against Lydney confirmed Town in third spot for the second successive season.

“We’ve had a brilliant season,” Clark admitted. “We’re in a cup final, had a great Vase run and another four points would have given us the title.

“Winning the cup would be the icing on the cake and I think we’re ready to really challenge for the title next year.”

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