Hungerford head for Weymouth

FA CUP: Reading duo stand by to assist Cup quest

HUNGERFORD TOWN take a break from league action to pursue a place in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup at Weymouth on Saturday.

Hungerford made that stage last season before bowing out tamely at Swindon Supermarine, and they face another Evo Stick League Premier Division club this week with manager Bobby Wilkinson insisting: "We've learned our lesson from last season.

"We are preparing properly," he added. "We've had them watched twice and they are a well organised side, but they can be beaten."

Coach Michael Gilkes saw them beaten on Tuesday night, 1-0 at home by Hungerford's league rivals Sholing in the League Cup and Wilkinson is hopeful that his side can follow that example.

"It's a nice change to be underdogs for a change," he said. "But we're going there to win, cause a bit of an upset and make a few more people sit up and take notice of us."

Hungerford will unveil goalkeeper Stuart Moore on loan from Reading for the tie, replacing the cup-tied Stuart Wood, and Royals have also loaned Republic of Ireland under 19 striker David Murphy to the club for 28 days to cover for the injury absence of Adam Wallace.

Isle of Wight-born Moore, 17 only three weeks ago, joined Royals this month from Portsmouth's academy and has already been called into an England youth goalkeeping camp.

His elder brother Simon is also a goalkeeper and is in Brentford's squad.

Hungerford will be close to full strength at Weymouth with Nicholas Ogbanufe, Tom Fila and JP Mills all back in the mix, while key defender Jon Boardman is "99 per cent certain" to play following a thigh problem.

If a replay is necessary, it will be at Bulpit Lane on Tuesday night with a 7.45pm kick off.