Town on the Trophy trail

FOOTBALL: Thatcham go to Frome in good shape while Hungerford and Newbury face league action

THATCHAM TOWN have absolutely nothing to lose as they head to Frome Town on Saturday in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy.

Frome were the team who pipped Thatcham and their rivals to win last season's Division One South and West promotion play-offs and they have made a promising start to life in the Premier Division.

But they could yet be relegated at the end of the season, unless the club can find £20,000 to erect a new stand, and Thatcham manager Gary Ackling believes that could add to the pressure on the Somerset side on Saturday.

"They really need to win, while we have nothing to lose," he said.

"I think we can go there and win," he added. "They are a physical side who will be in our faces. so it will be up to us to match them."

Saturday's winners at the AlderSmith Stadium will pocket £2,200 - unless the tie goes to a Wednesday night replay - and Thatcham go there on a high.

"We are going there in good shape," said Ackling. "We played really well against Bridgwater last week. We went for them from the first minute to the end and played some good football against a side that had won four on the bounce.

"And Frome will be under more pressure than us."

Thatcham will be without the suspended Mark Hughes but have Jemel Johnson and Robbie Sadler back in contention.

HUNGERFORD, knocked out of the Trophy at Yate two weeks ago, have a re-arranged league game at bottom of the table Stourport Swifts, although manager Bobby Wilkinson will be ignoring the home side's league position.

"They will want to beat us as much as anybody else," he said. "And we will not be taking them lightly. I am not gong to rest any players and will take a full strength squad."

Defender Scott Davis and goalkeeper Michael Watkins are back in contention.

NEWBURY have re-signed midfielder Callum Willmoth from Thatcham Town and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday's Hellenic League visit of Maidenhead United reserves to Faraday Road.

He will replace the suspended Barry Elmore as Newbury bid to retain their 100 per cent league record, while attempting to make up some ground caused by cup commitments.

Goalkeeper Jamie Thomas also returns following a hand injury.