Thatcham make it 10 unbeaten but have to settle for a point at Bedfont Sports

It might not have been the perfect 10 for Thatcham Town but the Kingfishers celebrated 10 Isthmian League South Central games unbeaten following a 0-0 draw at fourth-bottom Bedfont Sports.

Thatcham were in the mire and fighting for their league status before Christmas but some smart signings and considerable improvement at both ends of the pitch has seen the Kingfishers rocket up to ninth in the table thanks to a run that has included five wins, five draws, 17 goals and five clean sheets, leaving Yashwa Romeo’s side seven points off the play-offs.

Romeo was forced into the market again this week when right-back Alfie Saunders, who has already had spells at Hungerford Town and Tadley Calleva this season, made the switch to Isthmian League South Central side Gosport Borough after turning out for the Tadders in their Hampshire Senior Cup clash with Premier League side AFC Bournemouth last week.

In return, incumbent Gosport full-back Issiaga Kaba made the move from Hampshire to West Berkshire on a short term exchange deal and went straight into Romeo's starting 11.

"We're disappointed to lose Alfie, but Gosport made him a good offer," Romeo said.

"For us to allow that deal to happen, we needed to get someone in to replace him and Gosport offered us Izzy Kaba, who has come in for the short term while we look for a replacement."

And the new recruit impressed in the first half at the weekend, bombing up and down the right flank as the visitors looked to break the deadlock but struggled to hit top gear against a Bedfont side that defended resolutely.

It wasn't a classic but Thatcham created enough chances to feel they might have won the game as former Hungerford Town midfielder Callum Willmoth, recent recruits Kaba, Jordan Alves and Harry Willams as well as dynamic midfielder Mo Ceesay all went close for the Kingfishers, while Bedfont's Mediterranean goalkeeper Dimitrios Kyriatzis delivered a man-of-the-match performance for his side.

Romeo made changes in the second half, introducing Simeon Weekes, Kamil Zielinski and Noah Coates in an effort to force the issue and Thatcham did have the ball in the back of the net on the hour through the marauding Kaba, but the linesman denied the full-back a debut goal, ruling it out for offside.

Thereafter the game rather fizzled out, leaving most of the 111 spectators thankful for the final whistle when it came as the Kingfishers were made to settle for a point that does little to further their play-off ambitions but keeps them in the top half ahead of this weekend's action.

"It wasn't the result we were looking for," Romeo said.

"I was expecting them to make it difficult for us and that's what they did, I can't remember them having a shot.

"What was most pleasing was the clean sheet, especially given that I had three of my normal back four out or unavailable.

"We had three or four chances but couldn't find the back of the net, that happens in football.

"At the end of the day, we've come away with a point and with our unbeaten record still in tact so we can't be too disappointed."

Next up for Thatcham is the visit of 11th placed Hanworth Villa on Saturday.

The Villains were 3-2 winners when the two sides met in September but Romeo is confident his much-improved side can turn the tables this weekend.

"Hanworth have made a few changes recently so I'll be watching them in midweek to see if I can figure them out," he said.

"They've got a couple of injuries, so I feel like we're playing them at a good time.

"We're confident we can go and make it 11 unbeaten."