Injured Tooze set for a rapid return
HUNGERFORD Town manager Danny Robinson is hopeful that Kyle Tooze will be back in action in two weeks time.
There were concerns all round Bulpit Lane on Saturday when Tooze went down after a heavy challenge on Concord Rangers’ Ryan Scott.
The Crusaders striker suffered a head injury and the game was held up for 58 minutes as an ambulance was called and he received treatment on the pitch.
Tooze was taken to hospital and kept in overnight suffering from concussion before being released on Sunday.
Robinson said Tooze should be fit for selection, although the former Thatcham striker’s late challenge earned him a second yellow card.
Robinson added: “It is not nice seeing an ambulance come on to the pitch like that, but Kyle’s a tough cookie.”
Hungerford held on to Ryan Seager’s spectacular 20th-minute goal to win 1-0 and earn their third straight win in National League South – and their third clean sheet.
Seager scored with a shot from just inside the Concord half that hit the bar and went in off keeper Chris Haigh.
Robinson said: “We were under the cosh at times, but we defended well, put our bodies on the line and a moment of brilliance got us the three points.
“I am delighted to have three wins already – we only won eight games all last season – but as I’ve said before, it’s not where we are
now that matters.
“When I was manager of Thatcham I always wanted us to be on the front foot and outscore our opponents.
“But at this level, you firstly have to defend well for 90 minutes, so I’m delighted to have kept three clean sheets.”
Hungerford sit proudly in second place in the early standings, but they will be put to the test over the next two weeks.
On Saturday they travel to Ebbsfleet United and the following week they entertain leaders Dorking Wanderers – the only other team in the division with a
100-per-cent record.
Robinson said: “Ebbsfleet were in the top flight last season, they have money to spend and are full-time.
“Then we have Dorking, who are arguably the best side in the division, so it will be good to show that we can compete with the big boys.
“These are the teams you want to play against.”
The Dorking game would have attracted a big crowd to Bulpit Lane, but unless the rules change over the next nine days, spectators will still be banned from attending.