Table Position: 23rd
Top Scorers: Ryan Jones and Jake Evans (7)
Manager: Danny Robinson
Nickname: The Crusaders
2022/23 average attendance: 413
On Thursday evening Concord Rangers can record the double over Hungerford Town as the side with the worst home record in the division entertain the side who have picked up the least amount of points on their travels.
So far this term the Beach Boys have picked up 16 points on home soil, less than anyone else in the Vanarama National League South, however they have played at least two less home games than every other club in the league.
This unwanted position is largely down to Rangers' home form in 2023 which has seen the Beach Boys fail to win a league game the Aspect Arena since the turn of the year; with Concord last picking up three points on home turf in December when Rob Small's men saw off Hemel Hempstead Town 2-1.
As for Hungerford they have only picked up three wins and ten points on the road this season, with those victories coming against Bath City, Cheshunt and Weymouth respectively - the latter was an eye-catching 5-2 victory at the Bob Lucas Stadium last month.
The Crusaders are currently winless in three on the road and Danny Robinson's outfit have only won two league games away from home since October.
Hungerford managed to pick up one point from a possible six over Easter Weekend with a 1-1 draw at home to Havant and Waterlooville on Bank Holiday Monday making amends for a disappointing 2-0 loss at Hampton & Richmond Borough on Good Friday.
Meanwhile for Concord their Easter was even worse with the Beach Boys falling to two defeats in the space of four days. On Good Friday Worthing breezed to a 7-0 win over Rangers before a late Shaun Jeffers header inflicted a 2-1 loss on Concord at home to St Albans City on Monday.
Consequently the men from the Aspect Arena have now fallen to seven consecutive defeats in all competitions as the gap between them and 21st place Dulwich Hamlet increases to 12 points.
Hungerford currently occupy 23rd place, one position and five points ahead of Concord; knowing a win could boost their faint survival hopes and move the Crusaders to within four points of safety.
Despite Concord winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in August courtesy of late wondergoal from Ricky Modeste, the head-to-head record remains firmly in Hungerford favour with the men from Bulpit Lane winning five of the past six meetings between the two sides.
Concord will have to be on their A game if they are to win at home to Hungerford for the first time since 2018.
Key Player
Jake Evans
A regular for Hungerford so far this campaign, joint top scorer, Jake Evans has appeared 42 times for the Crusaders notching seven goals.
After progressing through the youth system at Swindon Town, Evans went on to make two first team appearances for the Robins before departing for Farnborough in the summer of 2017.
An impressive stint with the Hampshire club earnt Evans a switch to the Cardiff City development side. During his time with the Bluebirds, the 25 year old would enjoy a loan spell with Hemel Hempstead Town.
In December 2020 Evans departed South Wales for Bulpit Lane where he has remained ever since.
Evans was on target in Hungerford's last game with the midfielder scoring the Crusaders' equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Havant and Waterlooville.
They've played for both
Nana Kyei
Current Concord winger Nana Kyei arrived at the Aspect Arena from Hungerford last February for his second spell with the club.
Following a 2018 loan spell from Barnet, Kyei came back to Concord last season and bagged six goals before the campaign's end.
Kyei has also been impressive this season with the 25 year netting three goals, scoring in wins over Dover Athletic and Hemel Hempstead as well as scoring the second goal in our 2-2 draw with Chippenham Town last month.
Kyei spent the first half of the 2021/22 campaign at Bulpit Lane scoring once in 22 appearances.
Previously in his career Kyei has also represented the likes of Barnet, Maidstone United and Chelmsford City.
Joe Boachie
A recent arrival in Berkshire, striker Joe Boachie joined the Crusaders from playoff hopefuls Braintree Town at the beginning of March.
Since this switch the 25 year old has netted twice in five appearances.
Boachie donned the yellow and blue of Concord Rangers at the beginning of last season making four appearances for the Beach Boys, playing a total of 38 minutes across these games, before returning to Potters Bar Town.
Boachie has already played against Concord once this season for Braintree Town in February, and he nearly scored against his former employers on that day - sending a first half header against the crossbar.
Form
Concord Rangers
L - 1-2 vs Farnborough (A)
L - 0-1 vs Taunton Town (A)
L - 0-7 vs Worthing (A)
L - 1-2 vs St Albans City (H)
Hungerford Town
W - 2-1 vs Braintree Town (H)
L - 3-4 vs Tonbridge Angels (A)
L - 0-2 vs Hampton & Richmond Borough (A)
D - 1-1 vs Havant and Waterlooville (H)
Head-to-head
06/08/2022: Hungerford Town 0-1 Concord Rangers
26/02/2022: Hungerford Town 1-0 Concord Rangers
23/10/2021: Concord Rangers 1-4 Hungerford Town
17/10/2020: Hungerford Town 1-0 Concord Rangers
19/10/2019: Concord Rangers 0-2 Hungerford Town
By Nathan Williams
Comments
Post a Comment