The game was always going to be a tightly contested affair and being the 4th meeting between the clubs and 3rd of the season, the Kingfishers were looking to turn around a 2-1 loss at home in the Trophy and a 3-0 loss again at home in the league. Anyone who’s anyone knows only too well what happened almost a year ago at the infiLed Stadium, where a dramatic late winner meant Thatcham progressed through to the Semi Finals of the Vase.

The game started of with both teams pressing but TTFC very much in control and on the 9th minute, Centre Back Jon Beeden scored his 2nd with a thumping header from a corner.
Only minutes later Kyle Tooze hits a shot that is point blank saved by the goalkeeper. Shane Cooper-Clark went in for a follow up but ends up clashing heads with a defender and both physios come on for treatment.

The wind certainly played a huge factor in the game as most of Melksham’s shots se to go wide in the first half and their No11 Matt Smith has a shot that bent completely away from goal.

Half time was needed after two yellows wee given in space of a few minutes. First to Scott Rees and the 2nd to a Melksham player. Gareth Thomas came on for Beeden who had received a knock midway through the first half.

Paul Strudley - in goal for the Kingfishers- had his cross bar rattled with a fierce show and luckily nothing came of it.

Melksham manage to draw level after a player is deemed to have been fouled on the box with a penalty given. It is duly scored and scores 1-1.

Both teams continued to press for a 2nd and there were lots of opportunities for Tooze, Cooper-Clark and finally after a sweet pass for the latter, Tooze hits it into the goal and the keeper plus 2 defenders are unable to stop it going across the line.
Eagle-eyed linesman spotted that it did and awarded a goal to make it 2-1.

With Melledew replacing Cooper-Clark an Stanley coming on for Jeacock, the team looked to defend but continued to find a 3rd whilst the home side searched for an equaliser.

The only main incident of the game was a 2nd yellow to one of their players and it was 11v10 for the last 4 minutes additional time.

Danny Robinson’s men will be very proud of themselves to stay strong, achieve a positive result after back to back loses and are now sitting mid table.