Town ploughed under at Farm

Vase hopes vanish up The Creek to Western League leaders

Bristol Manor Farm 4 Thatcham Town 1

THATCHAM’S FA Vase trail petered out alongside The Avon as Western League leaders Farm dismantled the Town defence to reach the fourth round.

They went ahead after 16 minutes when Troy Simpson pounced on a defensive mistake to score and the same player chipped a shot over Chris Rackley 15 minutes later.

Jack Durrant thumped home a penalty on the hour, awarded for handball, and Jordan Metters’ shot took a deflection to add the fourth before Kylon Lewis netted a late consolation for Thatcham.

The Vase date enabled Thatcham’s Hellenic League rivals to close in, and they could lose top spot on Tuesday night when Thame play Ascot while Town are again sidetracked on cup duty against Flackwell Heath in the league’s Floodlight Cup at Waterside Park.