Match Preview: Hungerford Town (A) – Monday 29th August 2022 – 15:00
A quick turnaround from Saturday as the second fixture of the Bank Holiday weekend is upon us as Weymouth travel to Berkshire to face Hungerford Town at Bulpit Lane.
THE TERRAS
Weymouth fell to a 2-0 defeat on Saturday against Oxford City, who came into the game off the back of two straight clean sheets and victories. Lewis Coyle gave the Hoops the lead on 7 minutes, Weymouth again victim of conceding early in games so far this season. The Terras again were able to create chances, although sadly, none found the back of the net. Oxford City doubled their lead through a Klaidi Lolos penalty, conceded by Harry Kyprianou. Weymouth were awarded a penalty five minutes from time, which Keelan O’Connell agonisingly missed. It means Weymouth go into this aftermoon’s clash with five straight defeats from their opening five games. An unwanted record which David Oldfield’s side will work tirelessly to try and turn around to give our loyal fans reward for their support in recent times.
Player To Watch: Claudio Ofosu
A standout performer from Saturday with his good work on the left wing, Ofosu will be looking to use his pace and quick feet to breach the defensive line and create chances for the forward line this afternoon.
THE CRUSADERS
Hungerford Town finished last season in 12th place following a difficult end to the season where they picked up four defeats on the bounce which scuppered their outside chance of finishing in the play-off places. Heading into this season, the Crusaders lost top scorer Ryan Seager to now National League Dorking Wanderers, which has possibly had impact already, with Hungerford only scoring twice in five games so far, the joint second lowest in the division and currently sit in 20th on 4 points. The Crusaders’ only victory this season so far came against Eastbourne Borough last weekend where Hungerford recorded a 2-0 home win. However they were unable to follow that up on Saturday, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Chippenham Town. Given Weymouth’s poor start, Hungerford will be eyeing this fixture to get back to winning ways and push themselves up the table.
Player To Watch: Joel Rollinson
With a goal to his name already for the Crusaders, the new arrival from Eastbourne Borough – winger Rollinson, will look to add to his tally as he will look to cause the Terras back line one or two problems this afternoon, if selected.
@TerraStatman’s Facts of the Match
“We have been “lucky” enough to have met our Berkshire opponents 13 times in the past and have the edge over the Bulpit Lane based outfit with a W7 D1 L5 record.
Our initial encounters were a pair of friendly losses in 1988, but our first competitive meetings were in FA Cup qualifying in 2006 and 2011. We prevailed on both occasions, but needed a replay to proceed the second time around.
We would next meet in league action over three consecutive campaigns in the Southern League from 2013/14 (three wins apiece), before our paths would next cross in the National League South in 2019/20. In that pandemic-truncated season, we only played the Crusaders the once, a 2-1 home win, but we did meet once more before today in the FA Trophy last season – a gritty 1-0 win in Berkshire, Josh McQuoid scoring a late goal that proved the difference.
In fact our last two visits to the Lane have ended in 1-0 wins, but overall at their ground we have an equal W4 D0 L4 record.
In terms of recent players who have featured for both sides we have Taofiq Olomowewe who featured for the Terras last season and Warren Bentley in 2018/19.
On this day in history we boast a W15 D2 L7 tally in all games, the last game on this day being in 2016. That was also a Bank Holiday Monday game, a 2-1 win against rivals Dorchester Town.”
#UpTheTerras
