MATCH PREVIEW : Thatcham Town v Bedfont

Thatcham host Bedfont FC in a Combined Counties Premier Division North fixture on Tuesday - kick-off is at 7:45pm at Waterside Park

On Saturday Bedfont won their opening fixture, 2-0 at home to Ardley United thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Nathaniel Mensah and Cyril Ocansey.  Meanwhile Thatcham were beaten 3-1 at Penn & Tylers Green, who were promoted alongside Bedfont from last season’s Combined Counties Division One.

The Kingfishers will regret returning home pointless from Buckinghamshire, after Dontae Hamblin opened the scoring with his first goal for the club.  In a game of many chances the hosts scored twice at the end of the first half and added a late third with the game quite stretched.

Last season Bedfont finished second so had to win promotion via the play-offs, which they did in dramatic fashion.  After overcoming Wembley in the semi-final, they met Brook House in the final and trailed for much of the game.  However they levelled through Patrick Kavanagh ten minutes into injury time, then captain Andre Smith scored an extra time winner.  Bedfont also won the Middlesex Premier Cup.

In preparation for the new challenge at step 5, The Peacocks have retained the management duo of James Key and Charlie Lawrence, and in pre-season tested themselves against the likes of Camberley Town, Alton and Berks County.

Thatcham started last season in disarray following an unfortunate relegation from step 4 followed by off-field turbulence.  The season started slowly, but 7 wins in the final 14 games of the season saw Town eventually pull clear of the relegation places.

At the weekend both teams are in FA Cup action.  The Kingfishers host old friends Cinderford Town while Bedfont have a home tie against Chislehurst Glebe.  The return fixture between the two teams is at The Orchard at the end of November.

Ahead of the game Town manager Cameron Philbey said,

“While it’s frustrating to have been moved into a different division again, I feel the foundations are in place for us to have a stronger and much more stable season. Last year we managed to build a team and although it wasn’t easy, we ultimately achieved our objective. Myself, the management team and the players have learned what this level of football is about. Over the summer I think we’ve done a good job in terms of recruitment, particularly in some areas we targeted. More importantly we’ve retained the core of our group who are only going to be stronger, who care about the club and who want to be here. My hope is to win more games than we lose, and let’s see where that takes us.

That said, Saturday’s defeat at Penn & Tylers Green was disappointing after the excitement and promise of the build-up. It was a poor performance and we can’t expect to pick up many points if we concede three goals. The first 40 minutes went to plan with us scoring and creating chances, but we imploded on the stroke of half-time.

We huffed and puffed in the second half but still created a number of chances. However defensively we have got to be better, and that starts from the top of the pitch, though Maj couldn’t have done much more.

Finally, on to the very sad news that Ted Hyde has passed away. Along with Phil, Ted brought me to Thatcham Town last year when the club was in disarray. I saw him down at the club many times over the summer, helping make the club a better place. He really cared about the place and my condolences go to his family and friends.”