Thatcham Town FC

Thatcham progressed to the next round of the FA Youth Cup thanks to an impressive first half performance against the young team from Fleet

7:45pm 10th September 2009, Waterside Park, Thatcham

Thatcham Town Youth FC 4 : Fleet Town Youth FC 1

Thatcham Town Scorers: Carl Prestige (18 min), Matt Dempster (26min), Ben Wickens (42min & 53min)

Fleet Town Youth Scorers: Leigh Penny (73min)

Thatcham began their Youth Cup campaign against a very young team representing Fleet Town on a bright mild evening at Waterside Park. The first ten minutes produced few chances for either team as the game was played out in the middle of the pitch. James O’Doherty produced some strong challenges to start to give Thatcham a greater share of the possession. The stalemate was broken after 18 minutes when Carl Prestige out jumped his markers to powerfully head home a James Frank cross (1:0).

Ben Wickens and Tom Mahoney showed great pace and were relentlessly testing the Fleet defenders who were not hard to miss in their bright yellow and black kit. After 26 minutes Tom Moran swung a deep cross into the penalty area for Matt Dempster to deftly control, turn and lob James Muir in the Fleet goal from 12 yards (2:0). Muir was soon again in the action with a fingertip save to stop Carl Prestige from adding to his total. This brought loud applause from the 70 supporters watching both sides for the quality of the football. Tom Mahoney then switched to the other wing to keep the pressure on Fleet.

Tom Moran was well placed in the Thatcham defence when he cut off a Fleet pass that would have seen their winger clear on goal after 35 minutes. The fleet defence then were under pressure again and just managed to lift the ball over Carl Prestige as he stormed towards goal. Thatcham were then nearly caught napping when a sharp move down the fleet right saw the ball ricochet about the goal area for several seconds before it was cleared.

Ben Wickens was fouled on one of penetrating runs about 30 yards out and Mr Hitt awarded him a free kick. Clearly outraged by his unexpected encounter with the turf Ben Wickens got up, placed the ball and blasted it straight through the wall and into the bottom right hand corner to further extend Thatcham’s advantage (3:0) after 42 minutes.

This seemed to get Fleet going again and they nearly caught Aidan Waters out in the Thatcham goal with a well placed lob from close to the halfway line. Aidan Waters found himself under sustained pressure when his miss kick went straight to the Fleet Centre Forward but then redeemed himself with a good save. Adam Patrick in the centre of the Thatcham defence was strong in the challenge and helped keep Thatcham’s goal safe. The first half ended after 3 additional minutes of play with Thatcham three goals to nil ahead.

Fleet started the second half the stronger and Thatcham struggled to keep possession against the revitalised opposition. Fleet came close after 50 minutes when they ball again bounced around their goal area as Thatcham struggled to clear. Against the run of play Thatcham broke down the left with Tom Mahoney after 53 minutes. He crossed for Matt Dempster to knock the ball down for Ben Wickens to volley home to gain his brace and extend Thatcham’s lead (4:0).

Fleet continued to press and Thatcham lost all shape and failed to keep control of the ball. They still looked threatening when they were able to break and Carl Prestige was almost through on goal unmarked but his first touch allowed Fleet to clear.

After 10 minutes of getting dressed (shin pads, socks, boots, vest and shirt to find and put on) on the bench Paul Holland was eventually introduced to replace Carl Prestige after 63 minutes. The Assistant Referee was amused – not so sure about Andy Allum - as Carl kept coming over to the dugout and back out on field as the kit slowly went on. Paul was clearly preparing himself for what was to come next as his first touch of the ball was welcomed with the biggest bone crunching challenge of the match from a Fleet Midfielder – the aftershock of which sunk two nearby narrow boats and nearly derailed a passing train. Fortunately Paul got up and carried on playing, albeit a little stunned.

Fleet continued to dominate the second half and fortunately Thatcham’s Adam Patrick was able to stop a Fleet move after 67 minutes, where the home team was outnumbered in defence. Paul Holland and Aidan Waters then cleared up further Fleet attacks. However after 73 minutes Fleet were rewarded when Leigh Penny outpaced the defence on the right wing and then took the ball round the exposed Thatcham keeper to slot the ball home in the corner (4:1).

As the game progressed Thatcham regained their composure and started to play football again. James O’Doherty had a rasping shot that went across the face of the Fleet goal. Ben Wickens forced a fine save off James Muir in the Fleet goal. After 77 minutes Michael Panting was replaced by Conor Southgate in the Thatcham defence who was straight in with well timed clearances. James O’Doherty went just wide with a good volley. After 83 minutes Ben Wickens was replaced by Russell Allum who immediately put in some good challenges. Fleet never gave up and with 86 minutes played forced an excellent save by Aidan Waters as he pushed the 40 yard shot around the post. Three minutes of injury time were played.

The match ended 4:1 in Thatcham’s favour and they move onto the next round. The Fleet youngsters put in an excellent performance and were the better team in the second half. Thatcham will need to be more consistent and controlled if they are to progress further in the competition.

Images from the match