Match Preview

It will be the visit of the White Tigers this Saturday to Bulpit Lane who have started off this season brightly. After three back to back defeats in August, they strung together 6 league wins and two cup wins together in the month of September to project them to the top of the table.
Many would not have expected this after finishing 19th last season some 13 points ahead of Bishops Stortford in the first relegation place, however they have taken this season by storm.

October was a tough month, having only gained 2 points out of a possible 9, but bounced back with a great victory beating top of the table Dartford 3-1 at home on Saturday.

Not only are they currently sitting 3rd in the table they have also had a fairly lucrative FA Cup run, finally going out in the 1st Round proper away to Charlton with the support of nearly 1000 travelling fans, losing the match 3-1 despite playing well for a large majority of the game.

Lee Hodges brings nearly a full squad to Bulpit Lane, but striker Tyler Harvey will be suspended after picking up his 5th yellow against Dartford.

Hungerford are at the opposite end of the table to Truro sitting in 17th currently and without a win in 5 matches including Tuesday nights defeat in the Berks & Buck Senior Cup to Bracknell Town who ply their trade three leagues below the Crusaders.

Our last win at Bulpit Lane was beating Concord Rangers 2-0 at the start of September. Whilst it reads bad, The management team of Herring & Boardman would say they have been unlucky not to get points from some of these games. The last three league defeats have all been by a single goal, two of those coming from dubious penalties.

Despite results, Herring and Boardman remain upbeat and feel the squad have enough fire in their belly to start turning the results around. An injury to both Gareth Thomas and Nicholas Bignall last Saturday puts them in doubt, whilst James Rusby will train tonight (Thursday) to see if he can be fit in time for Saturday. Loanee Darnell Smith will also be back after a night off on Tuesday, who had a convincing game in his debut vs Wealdstone.

Ritchie Whittingham has now signed from Whitehawk permanently and looked good on Tuesday night getting 90 minutes as did Luke Hopper who is looking fitter, whilst Alex Wall is also getting closer to match fitness.

The Crusaders management are eyeing up another Central Defender to bolster the squad and are keeping their eye on Tom Meechan who has been playing well on loan whilst at St Neots Town.

A seven day approach has been received for Jamal Lawrence but no agreement has been made.

Please come to Bulpit Lane on Saturday to support the boys, they really need you to get behind them. A group of loyal fans are trying to urge vocal supporters who can get involved in building the atmosphere at home to come along. If this sounds like you, head to Bulpit Lane.