Ambers back to winning ways

After three defeats in a week, The Ambers were desperate to get three points on the board to help close the gap on visitors Thackley who themselves have exceeded all expectations this season by being in the race for a top four finish.
Coming into the game off the back of two big wins, it was no surprise that the visitors were quick out of the blocks and Gary Stevens was called into action after just 20 seconds, holding on comfortably to a Farrell strike.
The first big chance of the game fell to Joe Thornton who raced on to a Stuart Ludlam pass but was foiled by keeper Wilson who was quick off his line to deny him, whilst in a similar situation at the other end, Stevens held his ground to save well from the onrushing Garrod.
Broadbent then flicked a near post effort over the bar before Harry Bamforth met a Danny Buttle cross but his header was held by Wilson as the game meandered towards the break with neither side really doing enough to force the issue. There was no doubting the effort on the pitch, but both defences were seemingly in control of things, Will Eades catching the eye again for The Ambers with his opposite number Snowdon impressing for Thackley.
As in the first half, it was the visitors who started the second period in the ascendancy but they were rocked back on their heels when Eades was on hand to head home a Bamforth free kick at the far post after 51 minutes to break the deadlock.
Thackley were certainly not deterred and continued to build the pressure but The Ambers were looking fairly comfortable at the back and absorbing anything thrown at them. Further upfield, Reece Hands was starting to see more of the ball and he had a couple of efforts from distance, the second of which was helped into the net by Aaron Moxam who was correctly flagged for offside, before Steve Warne burst through the Thackley defence but planted his close range header wide of the post.
The big chance for the visitors came on 83 minutes when full back Hargreaves rose unchallenged to meet a corner but failed to hit the target, and with that, The Ambers closed ranks and comfortably saw out the remainder of the game for a welcome clean sheet and three points to take them to within a point of fourth place.

HE Barnes Man of The Match – Will Eades