A great performance on a very windy afternoon at Fairfax Park from the Thatcham players, but it was Bridgwater who had what was probably their best chance of the game in the first minute. A cross from the left hand side was headed downwards by their Captain Chris Young but Paul Strudley was alert and down quickly to tip round the post. The Thatcham defence cleared the resulting corner.

Thatcham went on the attack, seeing both a corner and a long throw in eventually cleared by the Bridgwater defence.

Another long throw caused Bridgwater problems, a defender only heading back out to the right side of the area where Robbie Sadler was unlucky to see the wind take his cross beyond the cross bar.

Thatcham were forced into a change after 30 minutes, Paul Taplin coming on to replace the injured Carl Self.

After 38 minutes Thatcham took the lead. Sean Cook playing through to Charles Mpi who ran on to slot the ball past Stuart Wood and into the far corner.

Thatcham doubled their lead 5 minutes later. Paul Taplin's free kick found Gareth Thomas at the far post who fiercly fired the ball past Wood and into the roof of the net.

On the stroke of half time Thatcham were 3 up. A mis-placed pass from keeper Stuart Wood fell to Sean Cook who from 40 yards placed the ball in the back of the net via the post.

HALF TIME: Bridgwater Town 0-3 Thatcham Town
Charles Mpi 38, Gareth Thomas 43, Sean Cook 45

Thatcham were up against the wind in the second half. Within 3 second half minutes Thatcham also found themselves down to ten men with Sean Cook receiving a straight red.

Bridgwater forced a corner as they tried to find a way back into the game, but the wind sent the ball out for a goal kick.

Thatcham almost increased their lead when Robbie Sadler picked the ball up in the middle, he drove towards goal before unleashing a shot that sailed just wide of the far post.

After 65 minutes Thatcham did increase the lead further. A cross field ball was dummied by Scott Rees, Paul Taplin picked the ball up on the far side, he beat a defender before dinking the ball over the oncoming keeper with Charles Mpi being in the right place to beat the defender to the ball and fire the ball into the net for 0-4.

Bridgwater attacked down the left hand side, a cross found Chris Young but his header was over the cross bar.

Bridgwater's left back Bradley Middleton found himself in a forward position, but his 20 yard effort clipped the cross bar on the way over.

A deep cross from Bridgwater's left again found Chris Young but his header was well held by Paul Strudley.

FULL TIME: Bridgwater Town 0-4 Thatcham Town
Charles Mpi 38 & 65, Gareth Thomas 43, Sean Cook 45

ATTENDANCE: 186

MAN OF THE MATCH: Robbie Sadler

TEAM:

1. Paul Strudley (Yellow)
2. Mark Hughes
3. Will Bratt
4. Matt Bowler
5. Gareth Thomas (C) (Scored)
6. Robbie Sadler
7. Aaron Parfitt
8. Scott Rees
9. Charles Mpi (Scored x2)
10. Sean Cook (Scored & Red)
11. Carl Self

14. Sam Tucker (Replaced 8. Scott Rees)
15. James Clark
16.Lee Stevens (Replaced 7. Aaron Parfitt)
17. Paul Taplin (Replaced 11. Carl Self)