Bad luck on Good Friday

HUNGERFORD Town fell to a 1-0 defeat at Oxford City on Good Friday, despite a display worthy of at least a point, writes Ciaran Morrison.

Manager Danny Robinson made one change to the starting XI from last Saturday’s game against St Albans, Andre Burley coming into the midfield to replace striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong.

The game produced a fascinating tactical battle from the outset as Hungerford set up to stop Oxford’s attacking threat.

The hosts were most dangerous on the counter attack with Joe Iaciofano having two attempts comfortably saved by Luke Cairney.

The striker also looked to tee up Zac McEachran, but Burley covered well to deny a shot on goal.

Sol Wanjau-Smith was causing problems to City’s backline, as he struck the side netting and had a strong penalty shout turned away.

Curtis Angell should have scored the opening goal, but unmarked and only six yards out he headed Jake Evans’ dinked cross wide.

City produced a slick passing move straight from the re-start and punished the Crusaders for that miss.

Reece Fleet fired home into the top corner, latching on to an Iaciofano cross.

Hungerford applied late pressure at the end of the half with Ben Dudzinski forced into a stretching save to keep out Ryan Seager’s shot.

Hungerford came out the stronger of the two sides after the break.

Evans’ free-kick was not dealt with by keeper Dudzinski and the ball bounced to Kyle Bailey, who saw his shot blocked.

Evans then set up Seager from a free-kick, but the striker saw his shot deflected wide.

From the resulting corner there were shouts for handball but the appeals fell on deaf ears.

The Crusaders continued to control the match and foray forward, but City were still a threat.

Iaciofano and McEachran both spurned big chances for the hosts, the latter denied by a fine Cairney save.

The biggest opportunity of the half fell five minutes from time for Hungerford.

Tyler had time to pick out Duane Ofori-Acheampong, but the striker completely missed his kick when a clean contact would have almost certainly resulted in the equaliser.

Angell’s long-range strike had Dudzinski scrambling to save, while at the other end Hamzad Kargbo nearly sealed the three points with a strike that flew inches wide of a post.

Cairney then picked out Seager with a delightful cross-field pass and he hit a ferocious volley that whistled just wide.

Despite all the pressure and dominant second half performance the Crusaders went home empty handed.