First-half goals from Jon Davies and Luke Ballinger, the latter of which scored a 25-yard stunner, were enough to condemn the hosts to an early exit from the competition.

The game started with the Kingfishers dominating early chances. Lewis Coyle broke down the left before whipping his cross to Jeacock, but the forward saw his effort go wide inside five minutes.

Shortly after the Blues came close to taking the lead after a corner from Coyle met Tom Moran’s head before being swept away by the Melksham defence.

But missed chances came back to haunt Thatcham after Davies slotted his low effort past Chris Rackley to put the visitors ahead on the 18th minute.

The yellows gained momentum from finding the net and almost doubled their advantage moments later when Niekell Plummer latched onto a through ball. Fortunately for the hosts, the forward could only drag his shot wide of the post.

Thatcham attempted to bring the score level before the break but Coyle’s free-kick was cleared by the Melksham defence.

But it was the away side that managed to find the net once more before the half-time whistle. An unstoppable 25-yard effort by Ballinger flew into the corner to double their lead.

Thatcham did have one last chance as the half drew to an end but Gareth Thomas’ header across goal was bundled clear with seconds to go.

The home team started the second period positively with Coyle posing a constant threat to the Melksham back-four early in the half. Lewis Gabbidon and Jeackock combined on the 60th minute to set up Coyle, but his volley was saved well by Darren Behcet.

Danny Robinson’s side held possession in the Melksham half for long periods of the second half but failed to craft clear-cut opportunities to bring the score back early.

Tom Melledew forced a fine save from Behcet from his long-range effort as the Kingfishers started to impose more pressure on the visiting back-four in the latter stages of the game.

Coyle’s free-kick on the 85th minute was met by Thomas but his well-timed header was cleared off of the line to deny the hosts.

The home side did add a consolation goal after Coyle’s effort struck Behcet and a defender before tumbling into the net.

Unfortunately for Robinson’s team, it was too late to mount a comeback as the visitors progressed at the full-time whistle.

Teams:

Thatcham: Rackley, Miller, Ngathe, Melledew, Thomas, Moran, Coyle, Gabbidon, Cooper-Clark, Rees, Jeacock.
Substitutes: Angell, Tennant, Hughes, Helmore, Sankoh.

Melksham: Bechet, Cooper, Lyons, Wall, Maidment, Thompson, Ballinger, Perrott, Plummer, Davies, Demkiv.
Substitutes: Norris, Gilbert, Hutchings, Mundy, Baggs.

(Photo credit: James & Freya Parker