Thatcham lost an important game at the foot of the Combined Counties Premier Division South, as visitors Eversley & California scored the only goal from an injury time penalty.

To rub salt in the wound, it was Henry Paxford, who joined Town as recently as the start of October, who fired home the spot-kick in his first appearance back in Boars colours.

Throughout, it was a very cagey game which rarely looked like producing a goal, and increasingly it felt like a mistake would settle it. In the end, it was Thatcham who took too long to clear danger, allowing Callum Samuel-Harman to nip in and the Eversley sub was brought down by goalkeeper Hugh Scott. Scott was also shown a red card, with Curtis Angell donning the gloves for the penalty but Paxford sent him the wrong way.

In the first-half Archie Goode and Luke Polding were off-target from distance, and visiting keeper Josh Selby made routine saves to keep out efforts from Polding, Ben Anderson and debutant full-back Finlay Tombs.

Thatcham showed more attacking intent in the second half but struggled to create chances, and Eversley became a threat on the break. Ross Baker saw a strike tipped over by Scott, then Samuel-Harman rounded the Thatcham stopper outside the area but Will Stantiford made a goal-saving challenge and Tyrese Georcelin was on hand to mop up the danger.

Thatcham had penalty claims turned down five minutes from time when Mackenzie Creech was tugged back, with the referee judging the foul took place on the very edge of the box. However there was no doubt about Eversley’s penalty five minutes later.

Paxford moved to the Mettal Stadium to solve the Kingfishers’ goalscoring limitations, but played just 5 of Thatcham’s 13 games during October and November due to being cup-tied and general unavailability. Having made a swift return to Eversley he started on the substitute’s bench but was on to score the decisive goal.

The result leaves the Kingfishers languishing in 19th place while Eversley climb from 18th to 15th. Balham are the side now just above Thatcham, being one point better off but having played three fewer games.

Captain Callum Willmoth was presented with a plaque and framed shirt to commemorate recently making his 300th appearance for the club.

TEAM : Scott, Tombs, Winchcombe, Willmoth, Denton, Angell, Antony, Polding, Anderson, Smith, Goode. SUBS ON : Georcelin, Creech, Santos, Stantiford. SUB UNUSED : Barker

ATTENDANCE : 139