Match Preview: Southern League Premier Division South
Hungerford Town vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 11th April 2026 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Bulpitt Lane, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0AY
Hungerford Town (Crusaders), 2025-26 League Position 21st
In a season of red cards and penalties in abundance, we got both for once from the opposition, partially assisted by a referee who seemed card happy throughout the game, but more crucially it gave us a vital win and three big points towards safety.
We now head out on our penultimate away trip, fortunately no coach dramas for either game, starting with Hungerford Town, who could potentially be relegated after our game on Saturday. We did play Hungerford back in September 2025, and for those that can remember, all the excitement came Ealey on, as we went behind, then levelled, then went behind once again, all inside the opening ten minutes if the game, and with no more goals we went down to defeat.
Our Opponents
The Crusaders are managed by Danny Robinson, who made the switch to Hungerford Town after very successful years with Thatcham Town, with his proudest moment at the Kingfishers, was winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 2018. However, after finishing last season in an admirable seventh place, this year has been a challenge.
Following their 4-1 defeat at Berkhamsted, the Crusaders have picked up just one point in the last six games. This now leaves the Crusaders in 21st place, and strong candidates for one of the three remaining relegation spots, as their record sits at Pld 39 Won 9 Drawn 10 Lost 20 and 37pts. Their home record sits at 5 wins, 6 draws and 8 losses, with their last win at Bulpitt Lane being that amazing 1-0 victory against the now crowned Champions Walton & Hersham two months ago. Hungerford have signed and released are a large number of players this season, and of course they acquired Stoke-misfit Charlie Austin, back in November. Austin, does have four goals for the Crusaders. Midfielder, Louis McGrory is their top-goal-scorer with nine goals, and is in his third spell at Hungerford and has played for numerous clubs, but more recently Gloucester, Weston-Super-Mare & Salisbury. They did sign on loan attacking right-winger Thomas Conteh from Forest Green Rovers, and he has added two goals, but their current squad is struggling to find goals.
Apart from Louis McGrory, they have the veteran Kyle Tooze, back for another season, and has four goals. Joe Shepherd is also back, who arrived from Cirencester Town last season, having also spent time at Swindon Supermarine. In February they signed Josh Marcon from Beaconsfield, regarded as a creative midfielder who can make things happen. Cameron Squires, was a member of their U23 side, who has been stepped up to the first team this season.
Back for another season in defence are Ramarni Medford-Smith and Matthew Barry-Hargreaves. Medford-Smith, was a Reading youth product, and before joining Hungerford, he played for the likes of Bracknell, Farnborough & Marlow. Barry-Hargreaves, is a product from Hungerford’s academy, was signed by Oxford Utd, and has been an ever present in the team since rejoining the Crusaders back in the 2018-19 season. Curtis Angell, who spent a short time at Basingstoke, was here for a shot while, but has moved onto Thatcham Town. Tyrone Duffus, is a defender who was from the Everton academy, and made professional appearances for Oldham & Barnet, before time at Swindon Supermarine and then Gloucester City. Jerry Gyebi, is a centre-back in his second spell, with the club, having joined from Potters Bar. Jordan Rose, is a vastly experienced defender, who has played for numerous clubs, but more recently Gosport, Farnborough & Eastleigh. In goal will be well-known keeper Luke Cairney, who returns for the Crusaders following three seasons away, whilst playing at Poole Town & Winchester City.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
For those present at the Sholing game, you would have seen a Stoke side that took all six points from a promotion chasing side, and last Saturday’s result, was pretty much a done-deal, once Ore Bello converted the penalty, and with Sholing reduced to nine men. Yes we created some nice moves throughout the game, but the Sholing keeper was rarely forced into action, but the ultimate goal was the three points.
This victory pushed us back up into fifteenth place with, Weymouth, Yate & Evesham below us before the relegation places. Our record now at Pld 39 Won 12 Drawn 9 Lost 18 and 45pts, is one step closer to safety, with three games to go. Our home record saw us get that first win in three months, and stands at 8 Wins, 4 draws & 8 losses. Our forward line, saw Geroge Reid, as our No.9, whilst Robbie Gallagher kept his role on the wing, whilst Ore Bello had a starting role for the first-time in a while. The tragic loss of Tom Blake due to a season-ending injury, allowed Joe Grant to enter the fray, and he will more than likely win one of the starting spots tomorrow afternoon. With Cheick Sylla, still likely sideline through injury, then these four could all start, as we should look to attack a poor Hungerford defence, that’s conceded 83 goals this season. Dan Rowe, who mad a second-half appearance, could also be in-line for some role somewhere in the match-day squad.
The midfield continues to take injury hits, with Tom Blake, now done alongwith Max Herbert & Josh Dockerill, for the season. The good news is that Josh Green will now lead this group, and as expected, will see the added support, with the expected return of both D’Andre Brown and Ben Cook, to this area. Lloyd Snell is also expected to play some part tomorrow, and he could be a very acceptable addition to this area on the right side of the midfield. James Clark, who has had a role here before, could also be used here, with our back four at its strongest for some time.
The defence will see Billy Upton, lead the team once more in his centre-half role, and will likely be paired once more with Jack Ball. Depending on how we set-up Scott Armsworth is an option, but if not he will be first option off the bench. On the right is Zach Ioannides once more, and is likely a sad loss for next season. Whist on the left will be Joe O’Loughlin, with Elliott Legg the back-up in both defensive back roles. Between the sticks will be the effervescent Simon Grant once more.
A win tomorrow afternoon will pretty much put away and thoughts of relegation, whilst virtually dooming Hungerford to relegation this season.
Talks of the pitch are the same as previous years, and something a number of our players have played on many times, so we should be used to understand the advantages and limitations that it produces.
Let’s Go Stoke, one more win !
Match Preview by Martin French..
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