Road trips and a cup derby date

Thatcham and Tadley head for the Thames and New Forest and Rangers come into town to face Newbury

TABLE-topping Thatcham Town make the short trip to Henley Town to get back to Hellenic League duty looking to shake off their own cup hangover.

Town went out of the Berks Bucks Senior Trophy away to Bracknell Town in midweek and now face a Henley side lodged in the bottom two with only battered Burnham beneath them.

Tadley Calleva did enjoy midweek cup success when beating Andover New Street 3-0 at Barlows Park with two goals from Conor Thorne and one from Sam Hamilton, and after fielding a side with a handful of 17-year olds in the ranks.

“We were able to rest a few lads and the youngsters came in and did well,” said manager Danny Dolan.

Tadley will return to experience for Saturday’s tricky Wessex League trip to Ringwood Town with goalkeeper Tom Hindmarsh, Mario Nurse, Spencer Barlow and Dan Vickers all returning.

Newbury will face Kintbury Rangers in a derby with echoes of the past when the teams meet at Faraday Road in the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup.

Thames Valley League Newbury returned to home action last week with a 4-0 win over Hurst while reigning North Berks League champions Rangers find themselves in the unusual position of propping up the table, albeit after only two games.