Tanner’s on hand to grab winner as Police cop it
Boss Romeo is determined to finish season in style after dogged win at Imber Court
THATCHAM Town boss Yashwa Romeo has called on his side to finish on a high.
The Kingfishers look set for a top 10 finish in the Isthmian League South Central – which would represent real progress for the side.
And, following Thatcham’s hardfought 1-0 win at Imber Court on Saturday, Romeo is looking for maximum points from the final two league games at Chipstead on Saturday and at home to Sutton Common Rovers on April 27.
Town have been hit hard by injuries and suspensions over recent weeks, but they never looked like losing to the Police, who are without a win in eight games.
Romeo said: “It was always going to be difficult because Met Police were never going to press us.
“They sit back and defend, but they haven’t scored for their last five games.
“We had a couple of chances in the first half, but then in the second half our dominance told.”
Thatcham again had to field a makeshift back four, although they
did welcome back keeper Callum Smart.
He was rarely troubled in an attritional game and the closest either side came to scoring was when Reading
loanee Will Gutierrez Ramirez saw his shot well saved.
After the break Thatcham stepped up the pace.
And they received their reward 15 minutes from time when good work from Mo Ceesay set up Ebanda Jordi and although his shot came back off the bar, Sam Tanner was on hand to fire home the rebound.
Romeo said: “In the second half we still didn’t create that many chances – it was just sustained pressure.
“Met Police couldn’t get out and we struggled to break them down, but it was a deserved win.”
The win was sweet revenge for the 2-0 home setback on December 23.
And it means that only Leatherhead have managed to complete the double over Kingfishers this season.
Romeo said: “I look back at this season and there’s three or four games that have cost us a higher position.
“We were 3-0 up against Marlow and lost and we really should have beaten Corinthian Casuals.
“But we’ve been competitive against all the sides in the division.
“I think that stands us in good stead for next season.
“We have a young team and they will all be a bit more savvy next season with the experience they have got this year.
“But we want to finish this season well and we are looking for six points from the last two games.”