Bristol Manor Farm left Royal Berkshire empty-handed after Thatcham Town clinched a last-minute winner in a game filled with drama, contentious calls, and late heartbreak.
The visitors made a thrilling start, with Louis Britton putting them ahead early. Britton converted a precise cross from Dan Dodimead at close range, securing his 22nd goal of the season and giving the Farmy Army a perfect start.
Not long after Britton’s opener, Josh Bissett had a prime opportunity to extend the lead. Left unmarked in the Thatcham penalty area, Bissett unleashed a powerful shot, only for the Thatcham keeper to block it at point-blank range. Manor Farm went into half-time holding onto their single-goal advantage, however, no one in the Mettal Stadium could have anticipated the high-stakes chaos the second half would deliver.
The first major incident came just eight minutes after the restart. Dodimead, pivotal in creating the opening goal, was controversially shown a second yellow card for “delaying the restart” as he tried to prevent a quick Thatcham free kick.
Seizing their man advantage, Thatcham quickly capitalised. Just three minutes later, Roberto Nditi struck a stunning shot from distance, finding the far-left corner of Seth Locke’s goal to level.
Things worsened for Manor Farm just after the hour mark, as central defender Jacob Spence received a red card for a robust challenge that many felt deserved only a yellow. Down to ten men, Manor Farm’s determination was tested, but the team responded with remarkable resilience, continuing to push forward despite the controversial decisions going against them and the numerical disadvantage.
Britton nearly turned the tide with a close-range effort, only to be denied again by the Thatcham keeper. George Dowling and Britton both had further attempts fly over the bar as Manor Farm fought to regain the lead.
But as stoppage time loomed, Thatcham found the decisive goal. In the final moments, towering defender Andy Mathews rose above the Manor Farm defense on a recycled corner, heading the ball into the net and securing all three points for the hosts. Immediately after the restart, Dowling almost salvaged a draw, unleashing a strike that hit the inside of the far post but somehow stayed out.
Bristol Manor Farm now look ahead to their upcoming trip to Trungle Parc for a second visit to Cornwall in under a month. Thanks for your support, Farmers—see you there!