Thatcham Claim Narrow Win - Thatcham Town vs. Abingdon United

Thatcham Town's Waterside Park

For my second Southern League game of the week, I travelled west to Thatcham for their South and West Division match against Abingdon United. I'd seen Abingdon earlier in the season when they exited the FA Trophy in an entertaining tie at Chalfont St Peter. Since then Abingdon have had a mixed time of things in the league and found themselves fourth from bottom. Thatcham themselves have had a mixed season and were in mid table before kick off. They had a brilliant start season which saw them only lose once in the league in the first three months of the season. However, only one league win since the beginning of the December had seen them slip down the table. The reverse fixture was won 2-0 by Thatcham back in November. 

The stand at Waterside Park.

Just as the match kicks off there is a heavy hail storm which produces a brilliant double rainbow which features in a couple of the photos. Thatcham dominate possession at the start of the game but don't really do anything with the ball. They are helped by the Abingdon keeper who keeps on kicking the ball in to touch. Midway through the half, Abingdon have a flurry of three decent chances in a row but they fail to put any away. Thatcham's pacey forward line is causing the visitors problems but the keeper isn't tested. At half time the score is nil nil although Abingdon had the better chances.

Thatcham on the attack in the first half. There is a small terrace just behind the goal.

In the second half the game becomes very stretched although Thatcham again have more of the ball. They finally make their possession count when the striker is put through and he makes no mistake to put his team one up. Five minutes later there is an almost identical opportunity but this time he puts his effort wide. The game then becomes very scrappy and there a few heavy challenges from both sides. Tempers threaten to boil over on a couple of occasions but the referee manages to keep control of things. There are a few minor scares for the home side but they hold on for their first win in twelve league games.

Match action with the stand and clubhouse in the background.

The walk from the station to the ground is one of the shortest I've ever had to make. Waterside Park is a two minute walk from Thatcham Station. Trains here depart from Paddington every hour and the journey takes around fifty minutes. Before the game I went to The Swan which is also a very short walk from the station. The clubhouse is quite big and has a lot of drinks on offer. Neither The Swan or the clubhouse has Sky Sports but I believe there are some pubs in the town centre which will show football if there is a lunch time kick off.

Another shot of the double rainbow.