Match Preview

Southern League preview: Thatcham Town vs Bristol Manor Farm

Thatcham are back in Southern League action this weekend as the Kingfishers host Bristol Manor Farm at Waterside Park (Saturday, 3:00 kick-off.)

Town are aiming to avenge back-to-back defeats at the hands of Highworth United and Ascot United in the league and Berks and Bucks Senior Cup.

Manor Farm, meanwhile, have only tasted defeat once this season and arrive filled with optimism after their recent 5-2 drumming of Basingstoke Town in the FA Cup.

Town manager Danny Robinson spoke of his squad’s desire to bounce back: “All my players will continue to fight. All my backroom staff will continue to fight and hopefully try to put things right.

“We’ve got some brilliant players at the football club still, we have very good young players, very good players that have come in over the summer.

“It’s important now that we stick together, which we are doing, and hopefully the tide will turn with a good performance.”

Despite missing Ekow Elliot through injury, the Kingfishers boss is boosted by having all other players fit for action and raring to make amends.

But their opponents also haven’t lost on the road yet this season, and Robinson insists the away side will be a tough test for his team:

“We played them a couple of years ago in the FA Vase and I went on record and said they are probably one of the best teams I saw at that level.

“We’re playing very, very good sides every week and if you are not at your best you get punished, it’s as simple as that.”

With a range of summer signings bursting into first-team action for the Blues already, the 32-year-old is keen to continue integrating his players:

“All I want to do is to do whatever is best for this football club.

“It's going to take time to gel and we’re trying to gel in a very unforgiving league. But once we do gel and once we hit that right note, I’m sure we’re going to be fine.”

Want to see the action unfold this weekend? Join us down at Waterside Park for another nail-biting fixture! Ticket prices for the upcoming match are listed below:

Adults – £8

Concessions – £5

Children – £1