For the second successive game, Daniel Fosu scored two equalising goals, earning Thatcham a point from their game at Guernsey.
Probably the most eye-catching fixture of Thatcham’s season was brought forward to a 12:00 kick-off, meaning a very early start for the players in order to catch an 08:30 flight from Gatwick.
Thatcham made a lively opening and forced a succession of corners. Fosu was denied by a goal-saving block from a Guernsey defender, and then the home goalkeeper Josh Addison turned Lamin Ceesay’s effort wide at the post.
Fosu then latched on to a Will Edwards free-kick but was denied by Addison as he bore down on goal, with Ceesay unable to turn home the rebound – and Thatcham paid the price moments later.
Will Wyatt made a smart block from Kyle Smith’s centre but Thatcham failed to fully clear, and when the ball was returned in the area, Matt Loaring found space to control and roll the ball home.
The Green Lions then went close with a couple of half-chances before Liam Mahon fired in a rocket from outside the box which Wyatt pushed over the bar.
However Thatcham levelled just before the break, as Fosu headed Alex Miller’s corner across goal, with the covering defenders unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.
At half-time, debutant Wyatt, who picked up a knock in the opening minute and needed a spell of further treatment, had to be withdrawn. Forward Kai Stubbs deputised in goal and was in action early on as Guernsey broke and Allen nipped in ahead of him, but rolled the ball against the outside of the post with Will Edwards covering on the goal-line.
Thatcham then struck the woodwork twice in quick succession. Following a great cross-field move Miller centred but from in front of goal Ceesay blasted against the crossbar. In the same attack Fosu then shot against the inside of the post with the ball bouncing back into the grateful Addison’s arms.
Within a minute of that escape, Guernsey went back in front. The hosts moved the ball to the right wing where the cross was laid back to substitute Tom Martin who curled a 20 yarder past Stubbs’ despairing dive.
Two further substitutes almost made an immediate impact for the Kingfishers, as Harvey Harry’s corner was glanced wide by Zeid Hannachi at the far post. But shortly after Jamie Leacock’s men were deservedly back on level terms. Following a slick passing move, Hannachi slipped the ball into Glenn Gabriel who turned neatly and fired a shot at goal which was parried. Cameron Rohart-Brown continued his run into the box and blocked an attempted clearance, with Fosu seizing on the loose ball to slam it home.
In the closing stages there were few chances as both sides seemed relatively happy to settle for the point. Having fallen behind twice, and considering the long journey and the injury to the goalkeeper, the Kingfishers will consider this a useful away point as they look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
TEAM : Will Wyatt, Tinashe Gwavava, Cameron Rohart-Brown, Lamar Koroma, Will Edwards, Josh Edwards, Alex Miller, Nathan Jones, Glenn Gabriel, Daniel Fosu, Lamin Ceesay.
Subs On : Kai Stubbs (for Wyatt), Harvey Harry (for Miller), Zeid Hannachi (for Koroma).
Subs Unused : Lewis Chapman, Luke Donville
Attendance : 754