Falmouth Town - Thatcham Town Southern League South

Falmouth Town kept up their excellent recent home record with what turned out to be an unlikely win over their Southern League opponents Thatcham Town, in this Pitching In Southern League South Division 1 tie at Bickland Park, writes Scott McCormack.

Rubin Wilson’s first-half goal was the difference in what was a predominantly one-sided game.

Falmouth were missing James Ward and Marcello Jones who were both unavailable whilst Thatcham named new signing Harry Thorpe in their starting line-up.

Straight from the off it was Thatcham Town who dominated the play, with their tricky and skillful forwards retaining possession well, resulting in Falmouth being penned back in their own half having to defend a series of corners and free kicks.

However, this prompted a defensive masterclass with several last gasp tackles and interceptions to keep the score at 0-0. Central defenders Tom Annear and Harrison Jewell were prominent as they look to cement their partnership in the absence of James Ward.

That being said, Town were fortunate after only three minutes as Thatcham missed a gilt-edged chance from about four yards out. A break down the left resulted in a cross from the by-line which found a Thatcham forward with the goal at his mercy. Surely this was to be the opener for Thatcham but the forward managed to spoon the ball over the bar and it was still 0-0.

In a first half punctuated by some long breaks in the play to treat various Falmouth injuries, Falmouth were limited to the occasional breakaway and it was during one of these when, against the run of play, Falmouth opened the scoring on 37 minutes during a rare foray into the Thatcham box.

Centre Forward Rubin Wilson made it two goals in two games when he latched on to a pass in the box and drove the ball powerfully through the defender’s legs and then between keeper Callum Smart’s legs as well.

The half finished at 1-0 to the home side after eight minutes of injury time required due to injuries to Tom Fisher, who was withdrawn early in the half, and goalkeeper Morgan Coxhead. Fisher was replaced at right-back by Max Everall who had a solid game against the very capable Thatcham Town left-winger.

The match followed in the same pattern as the first half with Falmouth defending from deep and picking up further injuries, this time to Harrison Jewell, who sustained a cut to the head, and Andreas Calleja-Stayne, but they were both able to continue.

Despite all the Thatcham pressure, the ball would not fall kindly for them and in the end it was Falmouth that should have added to their tally with Thatcham starting to commit men forward in an effort to get something out of the game.

Breakaway chances from substitutes Kian Thomas and Luke Brabyn were not taken, much to the concern of the Falmouth faithful who realised how fortunate they were to still be ahead.

After a further torturous nine minutes of second-half injury time, the final whistle came and a relieved home crowd celebrated their second victory ever in the Southern League.

It was a great show of resilience from Falmouth as they continue to adapt to the higher standards of the Southern League.

Falmouth now look forward to next Saturday where they will play away to the winners of the FA Trophy tie between Mousehole and Bashley, which takes place on Tuesday night. Bashley had previously overcome Mousehole, courtesy of a penalty shoot-out , but the game was ordered to be re-played by the FA after a clerical error was discovered to have been made.

Unfortunately Falmouth will line up without Tom Fisher, who was diagnosed with a broken ankle soon after the match was completed.

Falmouth Town: Morgan Coxhead, Bradley Leivers, Tom Annear©, Harrison Jewell, Luke Barner, Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Andy Elcock, Jared Sims, Rubin Wilson, Oscar Massey. Subs: Kian Thomas, Max Everall, Luke Brabyn, Jack Webber.

Thatcham Town: Callum Smart, Clive Gwavava, Callum Winchcombe, Callum Willmouth©, Roberto Nditi, Oliver Bourne, Samuel Tanner, Muhamadou Ceesay Ceesay, Harry Thorpe, Shamar Moore, Kyle Daniel-Spray. Subs: William Edwards, Jenson Mansel, Master Alomenu, Kartel Forde.