THATCHAM manager Danny Robinson praised Mark Hughes after the defender had scored for the third successive game in Saturday’s 5-1 win at Abingdon United, writes Dave Wright.

“He is on a good run and is showing the centre-forwards how it should be done,” said Robinson. “Hughesy has been tremendous, first at right-back and now centre-back. He is doing a good job as we currently have only one (fit) regular centre-half.”

The Hellenic League leaders dominated the game against a young Abingdon side battling to avoid relegation.

Robinson added: “This is probably the best pitch in the league and that suited us, as we like to get the ball down and play it around.”

He also paid tribute to the part Abingdon played in an entertaining game, saying: “They are a very young side with some quality and they took their goal very well. They kept it honest right to the final whistle and I commend them for that.

“If the season started again, I don’t think they would be where they are in the league at the present time.”

After Jon Bennett had hit the post, Thatcham powered ahead with goals from Shane Cooper-Clark (pictured) on 21 minutes, Adam Morris (27) and Hughes (38).

United pulled one back through Ryan Jackson Wild before half-time. Bennett netted Thatcham’s fourth goal on 76 minutes with substitute Josh Baines completing the scoring five minutes from time.

Thatcham remain two points clear of Flackwell Heath in the title race. “We have another 13 hurdles still to jump and if we manage to win all of them – which is not going to be easy – then we have won the league,” said Robinson.

The Kingfishers are home to 16th-placed Milton United this Saturday.

Hungerford Town returned to winning ways with a 2-1 home win against Kettering Town at Bulpit Lane. 

Bobby Wilkinson’s men bounced back from a 2-0 home defeat to Winchester City by claiming all three points on Saturday.

Crusaders worked hard to make sure the Southern Premier clash went ahead following heavy rain the previous night.

They bossed the opening exchanges with Rhys Tyler leading the host’s attacks.

They threatened through Diak John and Stefan Brown before breaking the deadlock on 36 minutes when Tyler broke down the right and his low cross was turned in by Nat Jarvis.

James Clark also saw an effort fly over the Kettering bar, but Hungerford were reduced to 10 men when Gary Horgan received a straight red following an altercation with Wilson Carvalho.

Kettering then looked favourites to win the contest when Liam Canavan equalised in the 62nd minute.

But Hungerford regained the lead nine minutes later when a long throw from James Rusby was handled in the box and Stefan Brown made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Hungerford were also in league action on Monday and had to settle for a point in a 0-0 home draw against Stratford Town at Bulpit Lane.

The closest they went to scoring was in the first half when a shot from Nat Jarvis skimmed the Stratford bar.

The draw leaves Crusaders in sixth place in the table and level on points with fifth-placed Reddith United, who boast a superior goal difference to Wilkinson’s men.

Hungerford travel to St Neots Town this Saturday (3pm) then host Paulton Rovers on Monday (7.45pm).

Newbury FC were without a Thames Valley Premier fixture last weekend and this Saturday travel to Cookham Dean (3pm).

Newbury Ladies won 2-0 at Andover New Street Ladies in the Southern Region Chairman’s Cup thanks to goals from Kela Maskell and Caroline Harkness.