HUNGERFORD Town crashed out of the FA Cup after they conceded four goals in the final 16 minutes of a 4-1 defeat at home to Leiston on Saturday.

Heavy showers before, and during the game made conditions difficult, but the Crusaders had the better of the early play, a Stefan Brown strike being deflected wide, a shot from Luke Williams going just wide, and two Louie Soares headers going just over.

Leiston showed their attacking ability when Christy Finch ran onto a through ball, but Jon Boardman did well to close him down, and although Hungerford earned a number of corners, they were not really threatening and half time arrived with no goals to report.

Down the slope in the second half the hosts continued to do most of the attacking, eventually taking the lead after 62 minutes when a good move by Williams set up Rhys Tyler to beat Jacob Marsden in the Leiston goal.

However, after 74 minutes Matt Blake intercepted a back pass from Matt Day to steer the ball past George Legg and all of a sudden, it became a different game.

Sensing their chance, Leiston threw everyone forward, taking the lead only three minutes later, a break down the right ending with a cross which was converted by full-back Patrick Brothers.

The visitors’ tails were up and Bobby Wilkinson’s men could not cope with their attacks.

Legg only managed to push the ball out to Byron Lawrence who drove the ball in after 87 minutes and Matt Blake was left all alone as the defence pushed up and was able to tap in Leiston’s fourth goal in the last minute to complete the rout, with the home supporters bemused by the turn-around.

Hungerford Town return to National League South action when they travel to Concord Rangers this Saturday (3pm).

Thatcham Town

HELLENIC League Premier Division leaders Thatcham Town put is a solid dissplay to beat Highmoor Ibis 4-2 at Waterside Park on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead courtesy of an Anthony White strike, but Thatcham were 3-1 up at the break thanks to a brace from man-of-the-match Gareth Thomas and a Jemel Johnson strike.

Former Kingfisher Yash Romeo reduced the lead with a second-half spot-kick, but the hosts made sure of victory when James Tennant netted 12 minutes from time.

Thatcham had previously conceded late on to allow title rivals Flackwell Heath to snatch a 1-1 draw on Tuesday of last week.

Johnson had given the Kingfishers a first-half lead, but Dan Rapley’s 88th-minute effort gave Flackwell a share of the spoils.

However, Kingfishers bowed out of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy after a 2-1 defeat at Bracknell Town on Tuesday night.

First-half goals from Seb Bowerman and Adam Cornell were enough to send Bracknell into the quarter finals.

Josh Helmore pulled one back for Thatcham, but a string of outstanding saves from Robins Chris Grace, who also denied Mark Hughes from the penalty spot, prevented the visitors from snatching an equaliser.

Thatcham have now lost to Bracknell three times in the opening two months of the season.

Kingfishers travel to Henley Town in the league on Saturday (3pm), and Tuffley Rovers in the Floodlit Cup next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Newbury FC

NEWBURY recorded a third Thames Valley Premier League victory in seven games as they cruised to a 4-0 demolition of rock bottom Hurst.

Gary Dredge, Kye Franklin, Carl Self and substitute Patrick Nelligan got the goals for the home side, who climb to ninth in the table.

Newbury host Kintbury Rangers in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup this coming Saturday (2.30pm).

Newbury Ladies FC

NEWBURY Ladies earned a point from a six-goal thriller at Winchester City Flyers in the Premier Division of the Southern Region Women's League on Sunday.

Winchester took the lead on 22 minutes, only for Newbury to equalise just before the break when Ellie Reed's cross set up an easy tap-in for Maria Rodrigues.

Newbury went 2-1 up early in the second half through Nicole Beesley.

And when Beesley turned provider for Amie Barnard to increase Newbury's lead in the 86th minute, it looked like there would only be one winner.

However, Winchester refused to give in and scored twice in injury time to salvage a draw that appeared beyond them.

Newbury host Hertford Town FC at Kintbury Rangers FC this Sunday (2pm).