No joy in Berkshire

Thatcham United Reserves 3 – 1 Penn & Tylers Green FC

It was not to be. Despite a battling performance Penn & Tylers Green FC had to return home empty handed. Against a strong Thatcham United Reserves side, who shaded the territorial advantage in the first half, Penn & Tylers Green FC did not let them turn that advantage into anything tangible. In fact shots on goal in the first half were about even.

When everyone was happy to settle for a nil all at half time Penn & Tylers Green FC gave away a cheap free kick in time added on and Thatcham United took the opportunity to go one nil up at half time. This was a blow and totally unnecessary.

The second half was much better from Penn & Tylers Green FC’s point of view. Everyone upped their game and the boys got a deserved equaliser. This goal was almost a replica of one of last week’s goals at Woodley Town. A need interplay on the left flank let Sam Walters through who finished well.

At that stage there was only one team in it and it was Penn & Tylers Green FC. A similar move nearly gave us a second goal but their keeper did well on a one on one. We were looking forward to a possible second goal when the ball was lost needlessly on the halfway line. The resulting counter attack let to another cheap free kick just outside the penalty box and Thatcham Town took the lead with a well struck shot. A lesson learned from this game is not to give away needles free kicks and surrender possession when not under pressure.

The opposition’s third goal towards the end of the game was due to giving too much space to the striker when we tried to get an equaliser. It was a good finish but their forward had time to bake a cake before he volleyed the ball into the net.

Overall there were lots of positives and the boys were not far away from getting something out of the game.

Oh yes………The village of Thatcham is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the country. People have lived here since prehistoric times: The Mesolithic village, discovered near the Sewage Works in Lower Way Lane, being of particular note as one of the finest temporary settlements of nomadic hunters ever found. Hearths and flint knapping floors were uncovered, as well as flint and even bone tools, and the remains of numerous animals, including elk, beaver, wolf and pine marten.

Who cares; we would rather have come back with some points. Away to HFC in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate cup next week and hopefully back to winning ways.

Man of the Match: Sam Walters

Match report by Andreas Latta (Secretary)