Thatcham had most of the ball during the first half but despite the industry of Jordan Brown and Jemel Johnson down the flanks plus the persistence of striker Liam Ferdinand, failed to create many clear-cut chances.

Abingdon had offered little but went close on the half-hour when John Dennis’s free kick was deflected over by the wall, and from the resultant corner Joe Green’s header bounced off the top of the bar. Just moments later United took the lead when a free-kick crossed in from the right was allowed to run across goal and Nathan Baker tucked home at the back post.

Thatcham responded shortly after when Brown was pulled back in the area and Tom Browne tucked home from the penalty spot. But Town had Chris Rackley to thank for remaining on level terms at the break as he made a couple of great blocks on the stroke of half-time.

The Kingfishers began the second-half with urgency, attacking with more pace and purpose. And on 50 minutes they were rewarded with a goal, as Jake Pritchard came out to punch clear a free-kick launched in the box, but the ball only reached Babz Jarra on the edge of the box who volleyed home.

However the hard-working hosts did not roll over, and levelled almost immediately when Sam Wharton headed home a corner at the near-post.

Joe Blount, who played in an attacking role went close with a shot following great wing play from Johnson, before being replaced by Ekow Elliott. Meanwhile Ferdinand’s night was ended by a dislocated thumb, with Shane Cooper-Clark coming on in his place.

Elliott had an immediate impact, weaving down the left and crossing for Brown whose close-range shot was deflected over by a defender, and then having a volley saved under the crossbar from a half-cleared Harry Grant corner.

Abingdon’s Jason Smith was red-carded for a late challenge on Ashleigh James, having earlier been booked for dissent and Town soon put the tie out of reach. Moments after Cooper-Clark saw a header drop just wide, he raced onto a through ball, cut inside to work the ball onto his left foot and fired home.

Thatcham created a series of late chances with Michael Miller and Elliott having shots saved, while James headed over from a corner, and Brown curled a shot just wide.

Thatcham now face Bracknell Town in the final on Monday 7th May which will be played at Windsor’s Stag Meadow ground. This is a week after the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup Final against Binfield, and 13 days before the FA Vase Final against Stockton Town.

Team: Rackley, Miller, Browne, Jarra, Thomas, A James, Grant, Brown, Johnson, Blount, Ferdinand. Subs (used) Elliott, Cooper-Clark, Bayley, (unused) Angell, Moran.