Robinson: Crusaders have turned a corner
HUNGERFORD Town manager Danny Robinson feels like his side have ‘turned a corner’ in terms of performances after their eighth league win of the National League South season.
The Crusaders returned to winning ways on Saturday as Jake Evans scored the only goal, five minutes from time, to see them beat Bath City 1-0 away from home.
The victory keeps them in the play-off fight – and they’re only five points off league leaders Oxford City.
Robinson said: “Before last season, before it all stopped, I don’t think Hungerford had ever won there [at Bath] and it shows what a difficult place it is to go to.
“It was a good gritty performance from us and, although we rode our luck and they had the majority of the chances, we missed a penalty and hit the post twice.”
Hungerford were cheered on by an extended fan base on Saturday with a large amount of Hungerford juniors watching the first team and Robinson had nothing but praise for them.
“That is why we won,” he admitted. “To take the juniors to an away game as well as our die-hard fans was unbelievable and at the game you could only hear them.
“Bath are a fantastic club with a brilliant support and they’re well run and for our supporters to be out-singing them was a lump in the throat moment.”
Now Robinson is hoping to use the momentum ahead of their FA Trophy third round clash with National League side Weymouth at Bulpit Lane on Saturday.
“I can’t wait for this because they are a big club and a level above us, so we’re relishing the chance to pit our wits against Brian Stock and Louis Langdown, who are brilliant.
“We have been playing really well lately and it feels like we have turned the corner performance-wise.
“We do create chances, we do have to dig deep and hopefully long may that continue and it goes into Saturday’s performance too.”
Hungerford battled until the very end during the win over Bath.
Robinson’s side had the first opportunity of the game after 18 minutes when Matt Jones delivered a corner and George Smith saw his shot hit the post.
The visitors were handed a huge opportunity in the second half when Ryan Seager was brought down inside the penalty area, but his kick was saved by the Bath keeper.
With five minutes to go James Rusby’s throw was half cleared and the ball fell to Evans. who fired into the roof of the net.