Senior Trophy 2004 2005

Monday, 18 July 2005.

Abingdon United 1 - 5 Thatcham Town

Played at Didcot Town on Wednesday 20th April 2005

THATCHAM boss Jason Braidwood was staying focused despite seeing his side claim the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy with a resounding win at Didcot's Loop Meadow.
The Sydenhams Wessex League outfit may not have been four goals better than their Hellenic League rivals, but they gave them a master class in finishing to claim the first of three possible trophies this season.
Braidwood said: "I'm over the moon for them (Thatcham players). It's no less than we have deserved this season.
"This is the icing on the cake and takes the pressure of a bit for the other two finals."
"But we've still got two league games to go so we have to keep our discipline."
Braidwood's side got off to a flying start when Tommy McCormick controlled a right-wing cross and fired them ahead on the half volley after just two minutes.
Thatcham doubled their lead on 11 minutes when Adam Campion picked up the ball in midfield and skilfully picked his way past two challenges before unleashing a 25-yard thunderbolt into the top right-hand corner.
Thatcham looked the better side, but there was always a chance Abingdon would get back into the game.
They nearly did so after 21 minutes when Town keeper Paul Strudley pushed away Ryan Curtin's curling free-kick before bravely blocking Anaclet Odhiambo's follow-up.
Thatcham were awarded a penalty after 27 minutes when Richard Peirson was ruled to have brought down Ian Davies as he ran away from goal and Carl Wilkins saved Davies' kick low to his right. The referee Robert Hodges ruled that the keeper had moved early, and Davies made no mistake as he blasted the re-take down the centre.
Abingdon looked far from dead and buried, though, and after Peirson had twice gone close from set pieces, they pulled a goal back on 40 minutes when Odhiambo met Matty Shelton's deep cross with a glancing header.
Thatcham finished the half on a high and they were denied a fourth when Wilkins blocked Marc Green's diving header from Campion's left-wing cross before brilliantly beating away Richard Witt's follow-up effort. Abingdon took control of the game in the second half, with the excellent Strudley saving from Odhiambo, and then making amends for missing a right-wing cross on 55 minutes when he smartly held Michaes Herbert's header after Peirson chipped the ball back across the goalmouth.

Thatcham defender Paul Mortimer almost turned Ryan Curtin's cross into his own net on 63 minutes.

However, it was the Wessex Leaguers who extended their lead with almost their first effort of the half on 69 minutes when skipper Paul Worsfold released Marc Green and he skipped past two challenges before keeping his cool to beat Wilkins with a low shot.
That goal finally killed off Abingdon, and Green put the seal on a resounding win when he stabbed home his second from close range with three minutes to play.
(Acknowledgement  for the above report to Jim Brock, Reading Evening Post)

Semi Finals March 2005

Abingdon United v Buckingham Town 1-1, Replay 3-3, Penalties 5-4 
Thatcham Town 3-1 Sandhurst Town