Crusade For Play Offs Continue - Hungerford Town vs. Merthyr Town

1st half throw down towards the clubhouse

This weekend I mistakenly thought that the weekend engineering works on the Norwich Line out of Liverpool Street had finally finished and I planned to visit Heybridge. Sadly this wasn't the case and I instead went to watch Hungerford Town against Merthyr Town in The Southern League Premier Division. I'd seen Merthyr earlier this season against Slough Town in very different weather and they lost three one on that day. I've seen Hungerford play at least twice previously, at Arlesey and Bedford being the times I can remember. These two sides met in a play off final a couple of years ago in The South and West Division with Hungerford winning on that occasion. Back to today's game and Hungerford had a great chance of making the play offs as they occupied the final play off spot at kick off while Merthyr were comfortable in mid table. In the reverse fixture The Martyrs came out 4-1 winners.

Kick off at Bulpit Lane

Both sides have early free kicks in half decent positions but near side make them count. The first chance of the game comes from Merthyr and is a low shot on the turn following a cross into the box that requires a good reaction save. Then Hungerford has their first chance as a header from a free kick is headed into the ground and just wide of the goal. Merthyr are played in on goal shortly afterwards but the forward scuffs his shot and the chance goes begging. The next effort on goal comes from a Hungerford shot from just outside the area which the Merthyr keeper saves comfortably.

The Merthyr keeper just about claims the ball at the near post

Hungerford come close to the opening goal in the opening stages of the first half but the ball is flicked just wide of the post. The hosts then have a couple of chances in a matter of seconds when the first shot is blocked by the defender before the second effort goes just over the bar. Merthyr then almost gift Hungerford the opening goal as a poor back header puts the forward in on goal and the defender is relived to see the strike lashed against the post. Then comes the match defining and highly controversial moment. From a Hungerford corner, a header is powered towards goal and is handled on / behind the line. The referee reacts immediately and awards a penalty and sends the Merthyr player off. However, after consulting with the linesman, they decide the ball had already crossed the line and they award the goal and have to retrieve the Merthyr player from the tunnel. This proves to be the winner and Hungerford continue their play off push.

Hungerford attack in the second half

I'm adamant that when I caught trains to Thatcham and Newbury in the past the train was direct but that doesn't seem to be the case any more. To get to Hungerford you have to catch a train to Reading from Paddington and change at Reading for a train to Hungerford. The journey takes around an hour and forty minutes. I seem to have been really lucky with visiting picturesque towns this season and Hungerford continued this trend. Hungerford also has a great selection of pubs. A little way away from the top of The High Street is The Sun Inn which had a couple of ales as well as the sports channels. At the top of The High Street is The John O'Gaunt Inn which a lot of ales on hand pull as well as a large selection of Belgian bottled beers. Then next to the common is The Downgate which offers rural views as well as a good selection of beers. The ground is a fifteen minute walk from the station and the clubhouse had the usual selection of beers as well as the sports channels. If you want to get beers for the train home then The Naked Grape on The High Street is the place to go. Or if you just want a pint while waiting for a train than The Railway Tavern is perfect. 

Another view of the covered accommodation down the car park side of the ground