It’s double delight as Town topple Totton
McDonagh’s on target again as Hungerford get back on track
CONOR McDonagh’s 20th league goal of the season earned Hungerford Town a Southern League Premier South double over high-flying AFC Totton.
McDonagh struck to earn the Crusaders a 1-0 win at Bulpit Lane on Saturday – and it followed up their 2-1 win in Hampshire in November.
It was an impressive display against an ambitious Totton side, who have aspirations to get into the National League and beyond.
And the gulf between the sides was evident by the fact that Totton had shelled out £20,000 for striker Tony Lee.
But Hungerford are used to overcoming the odds and manager Danny Robinson was delighted with his side’s display.
It brought to an end a traumatic couple of weeks that had seen Crusaders’ play-off hopes damaged by two defeats, while off the pitch the resignation of former chairman Alan O’Donohue left the club in a precarious position.
But all was rosy back on the pitch and Robinson said: “We played very well, especially in the first half, although in the second half we had to defend for our lives.
“We deserved to be in front in the first half, then it was backs-to-the-wall stuff in the second half.
“But it’s good to take six points off a very good Totton side this season.”
Totton came to Bulpit Lane in impressive form and were unbeaten in their last five league games, but it was the home side who looked to be the in form team in the first half.
Ramarni Medford-Smith was causing problems with his long throws, but they were dealt with by Totton’s centre back and captain Luke Hallett.
Hungerford took a deserved lead in the 25th minute when a Fabio Lopes cross was met by McDonagh in the six-yard box to head in for his 29th goal of the season in all competitions.
Hungerford remained on top for the rest of the half with Lopes and Jack Stanley putting in dangerous crosses that tested keeper Josh Gould.
The Stags’ only chance came at the end when Marcel McIntosh shot straight at Ryan Clarke.
Totton came out stronger in the second half and it took a great display from Clarke to keep them at bay.
A save from Scott Rendell on the 75th minute was probably the standout save, then five minutes from time Juan Luque hit the post after good work from Rendell but again Clarke dealt with the follow up.
In the end it was a deserved win from the home side after a solid display.