Romeo remaining optimistic, as Thatcham Town continue slow start with FA Trophy exit

Thatcham Town continued their challenging start to the season with a 4-2 loss to Evesham on Saturday.

The Kingfishers hosted the West Midlands side in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy, with manager Yashwa Romeo continuing to tweak his line-up in search of consistent results.

There was a first start of the season for forward Seco Sadjo, while left-back Kyle Daniel-Spray wore the armband in the absence of club captain Callum Willmoth.

It was an ideal start, as sustained Thatcham pressure in the first half hour led to a breakthrough, with striker Shamar Moore finding the net from close range in the 26th minute.

Just four minutes later, Moore made it two, after some chaotic goalmouth action.

A Thatcham corner was swung in by midfielder Kartel Forde, which the Evesham keeper got to first, punching the ball against the post.

The ball bounced off, hit Moore, hit the bar and hit Moore again. When the ball was eventually cleared, it was judged to have crossed the line.

Evesham would halve Thatcham’s lead on the brink of half-time, sending the sides in at 2-1.

Just two minutes into the second half, the visitors made it 2-2. Eight minutes after that, they took the lead.

A second half collapse from Thatcham was rounded off by a fourth goal in the 80th minute to seal a 4-2 defeat.

Manager Romeo was keen to remain optimistic in the face of a tough run of results.

“It’s been a challenging start”, he said.

“This league is definitely more physical, then you have younger players.

“We need to compete, it can’t just be for 45 minutes, it’s got to be at least 80 minutes.

“That’s one of my biggest areas I’m focusing on.”

Romeo points towards a lack of continuity in his squad week to week and is happy to remain positive.

“We’ve had a lot of possession in the final third, but then we’re not quite clinical enough.

“On Saturday, we were in control of the game, then we tried to over play.

“My main focus is getting a bit of continuity, once we get some continuity I think we’ll be fine.

“Callum Willmoth has been away the last three games. Once we can build those relationships we’ll be fine.”

Next up is one of Thatcham’s biggest away trips of the season, as they travel to Cornish side Falmouth Town AFC on Saturday.