The game started with controversy after Kyle Tooze’s burst through the Mangotsfield defence was halted by an arm. Thatcham players appealed for a penalty but the referee awarded a free-kick just outside the box.

The away side then took advantage by finding the net 18 minutes in. Matt Tanner linked up with Lee Hartshorn down the left before firing his effort in off Callum Ward’s far post.

Thatcham increased the intensity after going behind and attempted to catch their opponents out when Scott Rees’ quick free-kick found Tooze in space.

Unfortunately for the Kingfishers, the forward could only flash his effort across the face of Mangotsfield’s six-yard box from a tight angle.

The Blues almost found an equaliser in the 30th minute when Tooze latched onto a failed clearance before forcing a strong save from Marco Radovanovic in the United goal.

But the hosts were left frustrated when Mangotsfield doubled their lead early in the second half.

Dan Demkiv found himself in space down the right before firing a low cross to the feet of James Ollis. The attacker took his chance in style by producing a timely flick into the bottom corner to extend his team’s advantage.

And the attacker almost added a third when his low strike was fumbled away by Ward in the 62nd minute.

The hosts did manage to reduced United’s lead when Tooze produced a driving run down the right. The forward struck the ball through an army of Blue shirts before finding an open Adam Kelly at the far post to slot in.

Despite applying considerable pressure to the Mangotsfield back four in the final moments, the Blues were unable to find an equaliser as the away side held on for all three points.

Teams:

Thatcham Town: Ward, Angell, Williams, Melledew, Thomas, Miller, Jeacock, Alexander, Tooze, Rees, Akers.

Substitutes: Stanley, Cooper-Clark, Beeden, Kelly, Cattell.

Mangotsfield United: Radovanovic, Simpson, Tanner, Fortune, Kearney, Peck, Ollis, Spokes, Demkiv, Hartshorn, Hillman.

Substitutes: Tucker-Dixon, Williams, Mugoya, Price.

Referee: Alastair Higgs

Assistants: Sam Bowen & Mark Millard.