Hungerford Town (A) preview

City go into the game against the Crusaders with our unbeaten run in the league now having reached seven matches.

Over those games, Robbie Simpson’s side has managed to pick up 13 points from a possible 21 having won three and drawn four.

The impressive run has left the Club sitting 17th in the Vanarama National League South, nine points above the relegation spot and seven points off the play-offs.

Hungerford, meanwhile, go into Saturday’s game having lost three and won one of their previous four league outings.

Last time out, Danny Robinson’s side was handed a heavy 5-2 defeat by 10th-placed Eastbourne Borough.

Despite the number of recent defeats, Town sit one point shy of the play-offs in ninth place.

Last time out…

On Monday night, promotion-chasing St Albans City were the visitors to the EMG Inspire Stadium for a rearranged league clash.

The fixture had been scheduled to take place in early December, however, was initially postponed due to the Saints’ impressive run in the Emirates FA Cup.

Despite the Clarets enjoying plenty of first-half pressure in freezing conditions in Essex, it was the visitors who took the lead.

Following a Tom Blackwell free-kick, a quick counterattack left the Chelmsford backline exposed and the move was capped off by Shaun Jeffers slamming in off the crossbar.

City reacted to the goal well but struggled to force any clear-cut chances before the half was out.

The home side’s pressure was maintained into the second half and although it was a tighter 45 minutes overall, the Clarets deservedly drew level with just over 10 left of normal time.

Loanee Hady Ghandour latched onto a Jacob Marsden clearance before seeing his cross sent into the night sky by the St Albans defence for Simeon Jackson to track perfectly before volleying in a sumptuous finish to level the scores.

It was a goal befitting of a point against a promotion-chasing side and despite Jeffers hitting the bar for the Saints after the leveller, further clear-cut chances were lacking.

The opposition…

With 20 games played in the Vanarama National League South so far this season, the Crusaders have collected 29 points.

To seal those points, the Berkshire club has managed to win nine and draw two of their games, losing the other nine.

Two defeats and two victories with 16 goals on show in their opening four league games of the season set the tone for what has been an entertaining campaign for Hungerford.

Having claimed three 4-1 victories in the National League South already this season, the Crusaders have certainly shown their might in front of goal.

However, 5-2, 4-3 and a couple of 3-1 defeats have shown Town’s susceptibility at the back.

In the cup competitions, Robinson and his side gave a good account of themselves, reaching the fourth qualifying round in the Emirates FA Cup and the third round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

On both occasions the Crusaders exited to National League sides, losing against Bromley in the FA Cup and Weymouth in the FA Trophy.

Opposition dangerman…

As the third-top goalscorer in the National League South this season, it is clear that Ryan Seager is Hungerford’s dangerman.

Trailing only Shaun Jeffers and Alfie Rutherford for potency, Seager has bagged 16 goals in 20 league appearances.

The 25-year-old Englishman’s impressive return in front of goal this term marks his best season in senior football.

During the 2014/15 campaign, Seager had a similar scoring run in the Under-21 Premier League, scoring 16 in 21 appearances for Southampton.

After a loan spell with Crewe Alexandra, the forward left the Saints in 2017 and went on to play for MK Dons, Yeovil Town over two spells and Dutch Keuken Kampioen Divisie club SC Telstar before arriving at Bulpit Lane.

Our last meeting…

Hungerford Town 1-0 Clarets, 25th January 2020

The last time the two sides met, City were again visitors to Bulpit Lane for a National League South clash.

With the Clarets looking up the table and the Crusaders rooted to the bottom of the National League South on the day, the resulting 1-0 defeat came as a surprise for City.

Despite the defeat, Chelmsford had plenty of early opportunities to take the lead, the best of which saw Sam Higgins hit the post.

Following the close call, City’s pressure continued but the side went without reward until the Crusaders took the lead.

Current Peterborough United defender Joe Tomlinson was the scorer, applying the finish to a low cross into the Chelmsford box.

Over the remainder of the game, the Clarets pushed for an equaliser but lacked the cutting edge to find the back of the net and the game ended in defeat.

Where to follow the game…

The Club will be providing live minute-by-minute coverage of the game on Twitter (@OfficialClarets) using the hashtag #CCFC.

There will also be live audio commentary from Radio Clarets.

Post-match reports, highlights and interviews will be found on the club website, social media and ClaretsTV following the game.

For those attending the game, ticket details can be found here.