Town happy to go away

Thatcham take unbeaten record to Halesowen as they bid to close in on neighbours at the topp

THATCHAM TOWN take their perfect away record to the midlands and Halesowen Town on Saturday as they bid to make up ground on league leaders and neighbours Hungerford.

Manager Gary Ackling is almost glad to get away after Thatcham were held to their third home draw by Paulton Rovers last week.

"To be honest, our pitch is not the best and the ball bobbles about too much," said manager Gary Ackling. "It can be difficult to play on, and we seem to play much better away from home."

Ackling has goalkeeper Paul Strudley back following the migraine attack that knocked him out of last week's game after only 15 minutes, but his stand-in, midfielder Scott Rees, joins Callum Willmoth on the suspended list. Shane Kingston and Mark Hughes and Mark James also miss out, but Robbie Sadler returns and midfielder Sam Tucker is in the squad after returning to the club from Didcot Town.