Romeo delighted with Thatcham’s 3-0 win, as Agbotey grabs first goal
Thatcham Town manager Yashwa Romeo was delighted, as his side beat Malvern Town 3-0 in their last game before Christmas.
The match got off to an even start, as Malvern dragged an early shot wide before Tinashe Gwavava headed a Callum Willmoth corner just outside the post, all within the first 20 minutes.
Thatcham keeper James Sharlott made a number of crucial saves in the first half, including a dangerous close range volley on the brink of half time.
Thatcham’s best early chance came from a fast break, with wideman Harvey Fox seeing his shot in the box deflected just wide.
Ten minutes into the second half, Fox was back again, this time seeing a cross pushed out by the keeper.
Malvern went down to ten men soon after, as their man saw a straight red for a dangerous tackle.
Now facing a golden opportunity to get three points on the board, Thatcham made the most of it.
Zion Ndidi made the breakthrough in the 70th minute, doing well to convert from a tight angle after Willmoth’s long range effort hit the post.
Sam Tanner made it two in the 79th, as his shot was deflected and sailed into the far corner.
Youngster Pharrel Agbotey wrapped things up, coming on to score his first senior goal and make it 3-0 to Thatcham.
“He’s a beast of a young boy!”, Romeo said of Agbotey.
“He was on my radar last year when he was sixteen.
“He’s got a lot to learn, but he has great pace, physicality, he’s like a mini-man!
“He’s very direct. A lot of people try and cut in, but he’s quick and strong.
“Honest kid. He’s got a good future ahead of him.”
The win comes at a great time for Thatcham, bouncing back from midweek disappointment.
“Tuesday was very doom and gloom,” Romeo said, referring to a 2-0 loss to Cribbs.
“It was smash and grab, but Saturday was a superb performance.
“It was an even first half, but we kept applying the pressure.
“When they got a red card we capitalised massively on it.”
Christmas only provides a short break, with Thatcham hosting Didcot on Boxing Day and travelling to Shaftesbury just two days later.
“The next two are crucial,” he said.
“If we can get six points we’ll be out of the relegation zone, that’s my target.
“The aim going into the second half of the season is not to let teams get the double over us.
“That’s the mentality.”