Hitchin and hoping for a ride to play-off final

Last year's disappoinment drives on in-form Hungerford

HUNGERFORD TOWN are aiming for a seventh straight clean sheet when they go to Hitchin Town tonight (Wednesday) for their fourth play-off semi-final in six seasons.

The disappointment of last year’s defeat at Truro City is still remembers, and Hungerford’s players and manager are determined to avoid a repeat of that moment.

“It was the worst I’ve ever felt in football,” said manager Bobby Wilkinson, “and the players are determined to do it this time.

“We have every respect for Hitchin,” he added “ but we would rather be going there on a Tuesday night than to Truro.

“We have done all our homework on them and they will think they are favourites because they have beaten us this year. But we have learned from that and we have kept six consecutive clean sheets and we can keep another.

“But we know that it all comes down to these 90 minutes, because you don’t get a second chance.”

Hungerford will take the same 16 to Hitchin who were on duty at Leamington last Saturday, to face a side that has a mix of youth, power and experience and which attracted an 1100-plus crowd on Saturday.

Wideman Jonny McNamara is usually the main threat, but he is ruled out for the duration - banned for six weeks for spitting at an opponent. Big Striker Brett Donnelly is a bullying presence however, while Kane Smith has attracted the attention of bigger clubs and recently underwent trials at Ipswich Town.