MATCH PREVIEW : Thatcham Town v Holyport

This afternoon the Kingfishers take on Holyport in a Combined Counties Premier Division North fixture.  Kick-off is at 3pm at Waterside Park.

Holyport are currently bottom of the Combined Counties Premier Division North with 2 points from 9 games.  However seven of their games have been played away from home and they have picked up draws over the Bank Holiday weekend at North Leigh (0-0) and Wokingham Town (2-2).

In the FA Vase Holyport enjoyed a commanding 3-0 win over Amersham Town before losing 2-1 at Bedfont in the following round.  They also suffered an agonising defeat to Burnham on penalties in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.

The Kingfishers have picked up 7 of their 9 points at home, though haven’t scored a goal in nearly 4 games of  football - Callum Winchcombe’s 7th minute winner in the county cup at Reading City being the last time Town found the net.

Former Kingfishers returning to Waterside Park today include forward Joe Blount (37 apps, 7 goals in a Town shirt) and joint manager Dan Rapley (20 apps, 4 goals), with both featuring for Thatcham in the 2017/18 season.  Also returning in the Holyport camp is Natz Stearn who was on Physio duties for Thatcham in the FA Vase Final.

The two sides last met in league fixtures during the 2014/15 season as both teams finished in the bottom half of the Hellenic Premier Division. Luke Farrugia (2) and Yash Romeo scored Thatcham’s goals in a 3-2 home win.  Thatcham won the return fixture 5-0 through goals from Paul Taplin, Jordan Seward, Alex Charlick, Gavin Mackie and Yash Romeo.

Last season Thatcham won 2-1 at Holyport in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. After conceding an early goal, strikes from Prince Da Cruz and Aaron Voller saw the Kingfishers home.

Next weekend Thatcham travel to the leaders Ardley United, while Holyport play their first Saturday home league fixture of the season against Burnham.  Holyport’s next six league games are at home - their next away fixture in the Combined Counties League is over two months away!

Speaking in advance of the game, Town manager Cameron Philbey said,

“I felt last Saturday’s performance was an improvement, particularly in certain areas of our game, but we are still some way short of the levels we know we are capable of reaching.

Defensively, we were much better.  We won more ball contacts, worked harder to recover possession and showed greater discipline without the ball.  When we play with that energy, aggression and work rate, we become a very good side and a difficult team to play against.  That level of intensity is something I am demanding from the players in every fixture.

At the other end of the pitch we were too wasteful in the final third.  We created more opportunities, which was encouraging, but we have to be more clinical when those crucial moments arrive.  We have to continue creating chances, but equally we must make more of the opportunities that come our way.

Today is another fixture where we have to be ready for a fight.  We face a hungry Holyport side who are yet to show their best, but have already picked up some eye-catching results.  They have quality in the final third and possess players who can hurt any team in this league.

It is also great to be back at home in front of our supporters.  The backing we have received this season has been superb, and the players really appreciate the energy and support you bring on matchdays.  We know how much it means to have everyone behind us, and hopefully we can give you a performance today that you can be proud of.

My message for today is simple : fight for everything, be aggressive with and without the ball, and be clinical when our chances come.”

  game.”