Falmouth are making the 246 mile trek to West Berkshire for today’s game. As with all Devon & Cornwall clubs heading east along the M4, Thatcham is the second furthest journey they will travel this season, with the trip to Didcot roughly 10 miles longer.

The Kingfishers visited Falmouth in September. Despite creating numerous chances in the first half particularly, Thatcham failed to find the net and the hosts won the match through Rubin Wilson’s 37th minute strike.

Falmouth have won their last four league matches, hauling themselves out of the relegation zone and into a congested mid-table. The Kingfishers are desparately hoping to go on a similar run and get in touch with the pack.

Falmouth are only 9 points adrift of the play-offs but will be more concerned about maintaining the 8 point margin they currently have over the bottom four.

Rubin Wilson has scored in each of those four victories, starting with a brace in their 2-0 home win over Mousehole. They then picked up three points from away wins at Tavistock (3-2) and Willand (1-0) before stuffing Didcot 4-1 in their last outing on Saturday 4th January.

Behind Yate Town, Falmouth have the second highest average attendance in the league. In spite of National League South neighbours Truro City also being at home that day, a crowd of 1,110 attended their Boxing Day derby with Mousehole, where no doubt the vociferous Packet End crowd played their part in the win.

In his programme notes, Thatcham manager Yashwa Romeo said,

“This is a very, very important game for us. We need to pick up three points otherwise we risk being cut further adrift and we can’t allow that to happen. Hopefully our good home form will continue and we will be able to pick up the win.

We brought a number of players in last week as we approach a busy period. In some games we just haven’t had enough options, particular up front, and we haven’t been able to change games from the bench. If we want to get ourselves out of trouble then we need more bodies in.

We’re not blessed with money so loaning players in is our main option. I used to play for Maidenhead and have kept in touch with my contacts there, and they have been helpful to us. I think we also have good working relationships with Reading and Aldershot.

They are mostly young players as unfortunately experienced players cost more money and are more reluctant to do the travelling that is required in this league. It has been a challenge all season but we’ve just got to get on with it.

Last Saturday was a strange day... Prior to setting off on the long journey to Mousehole we had a player unfortunately withdraw for personal reasons, then we had problems with the coach. It was, again, one of those days, and when we did arrive the pitch wasn’t really playable. We pushed for the game to go ahead, which for us was a much better alternative to having to go all the way back there on a Tuesday night. I thought the team that made the fewest mistakes would go on to win, and so it proved.

We again conceded an early goal and I thought we were a little bit naïve. We handled the conditions better in the second half but Mousehole’s second goal just before half-time
was the killer.

Thanks for your continued support, it really is appreciated. Enjoy the game, YASH”

A printed programme will be on sale today at the turnstile and in the bar beforehand for just £2.