Town go to Sholing

Holiday double secures Thursday play-off date for Thatcham while Hungerford and Newbury are left disappointed

THATCHAM TOWN'S late season charge was rewarded when they surged into the Zamaretto League Division One South and West play-offs as they held their nerve while others around them faltered over the crucial Easter weekend.

Thatcham snatched the final place when they beat Almondsbury Town 1-0 at Waterside Park on Saturday, and preserved it with a 2-0 win at bottom of the table Andover on Monday afternoon.

It was neighbours Hungerford Town who paid the price after they lost 1-0 at home to Frome Town on Saturday, leaving them reliant upon others to fail on Monday when Hungerford had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Abingdon United.

Thatcham will now go to second-placed Sholing on Thursday evening, bidding for the right to meet either Mangotsfield or Frome in Bank Holiday Monday's final to join champions AFC Totton in the Premier Division.

It was not easy for Thatcham at Andover, who have not won at home all season, and they had to wait until the second half and two massive defensive lapses to secure their place.

Charlie Mpi scored within two minutes of the re-start when he muscled in on a mix-up, and Matt Peddar struck in similar fashion by getting the final touch in another scramble.

Hungerford, drew 2-2 at Abingdon after going 2-0 up in 10 minutes through Jemel Johnson and Jamie Gosling before ex-Hungerford striker Yashwa Romeo pulled one back inside five minutes and netted the leveller with 15 minutes to go.

Newbury's top two hopes in the Hellenic League's Division One East were ended, despite Monday's 4-2 win at Chalfont Wasps.

They had to hope that Hungerford Reserves would do them a favour by knocking down Henley Town, but Henley won 8-0 to leave Newbury stuck in third place and hoping for a league re-shuffle to make the way up.