HUNGERFORD FC bounced back to form with a 2-0 win at Slough on Monday, writes Dave Wright.

It leaves the Crusaders fifth in the Southern League’s Premier Division on 70 points, just five fewer than leaders Redditch, who have a match in hand.

However, Hungerford will be disappointed not to be better placed, having been beaten 3-2 at home to Dunstable on Saturday.

James Clark put the Crusaders ahead two minutes before half-time, but the lead did not last long in the second half with Dunstable scoring twice in the opening three minutes through a Steve Wales penalty and a strike from David Longe-King.

Mark Draycott equalised with a 54th-minute penalty and the game looked to be heading for a draw, but the visitors grabbed all three points two minutes from time with a sensational goal.

Wales was in his own half when he lobbed the ball over keeper Paul Strudley into the net.

In front of a crowd of 319 against Slough, the outstanding Garyn Preen opened the scoring on 39 minutes with a neat finish and only the post denied him a second goal. He also sent another effort flying just wide.

Not surprisingly, Preen was involved in the second goal, cutting the ball back for Draycott to fire home in the 68th minute.

Bobby Wilkinson’s men will be looking to give their play-off hopes another boost when they take on Merthyr Town at Bulpit Lane this Saturday (3pm ko).

The Martyrs are 13th in the table, but have won their last six matches, the latest being an excellent 2-1 victory over Redditch on Monday.

Thatcham’s hopes of being crowned Hellenic League Premier Division champions suffered a major blow when they lost 2-0 at home to title rivals Kidlington last Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, the visitors broke the deadlock through Anaclet Odhiambo on the hour mark and they went close on two more occasions before Ryan Brooks put the issue beyond doubt two minutes from time.

The Kingfishers trail Kidlington by four points with four games remaining, one fewer than the leaders.

They are also out of the Hellenic Bluefin Sports Cup after losing to Brackley Town Saints in their quarter-final tie on Saturday. The tie ended 4-4 but the home side won the penalty shoot-out 4-3.

Jordan Seward and Josh Helmore cancelled out Saints’ opening two goals, but Thatcham looked to be heading for defeat in normal time when they trailed 4-2 with time running out. However, the visitors produced a grandstand finish despite being down to 10 men with Yashwa Romeo and Tom Moran both scoring in the last two minutes.

But misses by Callum Willmoth and Tom Melledew saw Thatcham lose on penalties.

It is the first time this season the Kingfishers have suffered two defeats in a row.

Thatcham are away to Royal Wootton Bassett this Saturday before meeting Tuffley Rovers next Tuesday evening, their last home league fixture of the season.

Waterside Park are to stage two Berks and Bucks FA women’s cup finals this Sunday.

Tilehurst-based Barton Rovers take on Maidenhead United Development in the Trophy final at 2pm, while at 6pm MK Dons play Maidenhead United first team in the Senior final.

Goals from Carl Jenner, Oliver Free and Leroy Clarke gave Newbury a hard-fought 3-2 win against Hurst in the Thames Valley League Premier Division.