Former Premier League star Charlie Austin scores on Hungerford Town return as Totton cruise past Crusaders
Charlie Austin scored within fifteen minutes on his return to Bulpit Lane.
Austin returned as part of a dangerous AFC Totton squad, full of high-level experience and currently second in the league.
Hungerford fielded a strong side in response, as Kyle Tooze and Louis McGrory returned to the starting lineup and Max Ram earned a start.
Forest Green loanee Jose Marquez went close early on, but his shot fizzed just wide of the Totton net.
Just minutes later, Austin struck, arriving at the back post to meet a dangerous cross in the fifteenth minute for 1-0.
McGrory saw a good chance cleared away, before striker Scott Rendell bagged a second for Totton in the 24th minute.
Tooze saw a half-chance saved, while a Hungerford penalty shout was waved away shortly after.
Marquez and Tooze combined twice in a matter of minutes, but each missed good chances to halve the deficit going into the break.
2-0 down at half-time, Hungerford knew the next goal would be crucial.
Curtis Angell came on for Rhys Tyler, but any momentum was stunted as Tony Lee curled a free-kick past Ryan Clarke and into the bottom corner for 3-0.
That’s how it ended, disrupting Hungerford’s momentum, but hardly disgracing the Crusaders.
“All three goals were individual mistakes,” reflected manager Danny Robinson.
“You can’t give that to top sides like Totton.
“We didn’t take our opportunities, and after 3-0 it was a bit of a non-event.
“They’ve beaten us handsomely twice, and whoever finishes above them deserve to win the league.”
Totton boast a squad which would be deemed a good one in the league above, with former Southampton and Everton forward James Beattie as their Director of Football and Jimmy Ball, son of 1966 hero Alan, in the dugout.
“They’ve recruited very well and they have the riches to do that,” he said.
“But you still have to go and do it.
“They’re the best side that we’ve played.
“We aren’t defined by this. We have to win at Marlow on Saturday and see where we go from there.
“There will be twists and turns.
“The play-off dream has taken a dent, but it’s not over.
“We’ll just keep going.”
Austin’s return was well received at Bulpit Lane, as he took the time to engage with fans at the club he played for between 2007 and 2008.
Kintbury Rangers were Austin’s first senior club, although the striker was born in Hungerford.
He would go on to play for Burnley, QPR, Southampton, West Brown and received an England call-up in 2015.
He captained Swindon in League Two last season, before heading to the Southern League Premier Division, but was there any chance of a Hungerford return?
“I’ve known Charlie for a long time,” Robinson chuckles.
“He was brilliant, taking photos and signing autographs.
“He’s a Hungerford lad, and what he’s done in football only a few can dream of.
“We always have a tongue in cheek chat with him.
“But he’s gone to the best team in the league.
“One day we’d love to have him, but that’s for the future.”
