SHANE Cooper-Clark helped lift Thatcham Town back to the top of the Hellenic League and reckons they are good enough to still be there at the end of the season, writes Dave Wright.
The striker, recently signed from Premier Division rivals Bracknell, scored twice as the Kingfishers defeated Lydney 4-3 Waterside Park.
Adam Morris also bagged a brace in one of only four Premier fixtures to survive Saturday’s torrential rain.
The in-form Cooper-Clark has now scored five goals in his last four games, taking his season’s tally to 20, the third highest in the league.
“I am really enjoying myself here,” said Cooper-Clark. “It was a big change for me, but I wanted a new challenge and I felt it was the right time to leave, especially with the changes at Bracknell at the time.”
He added: “We have a very strong squad here (at Thatcham) and I definitely think we are good enough to win the league although Kidlington are also a pretty good side.”
With Morris scoring in the second and 12th minutes and Cooper-Clark on six minutes, Thatcham roared into 3-0 lead against Lydney.
Joint manager Gareth Thomas deflected the ball into his own net in the 22nd minute – the first goal Kingfishers had conceded in seven games.
But four minutes later the hosts restored their three-goal advantage with Cooper-Clark heading home a long right-wing cross from full-back Mark Hughes.
“I was pleased to score two, but I probably missed three other chances as well,” he said.
With a 4-1 half-time advantage, it looked as if Thatcham would rattle up another big score.
However, the Gloucestershire visitors kept plugging away and pulled two goals back through Jack Rutter, after 52 minutes, and substitute Matt Timmins in the last minute.
It was the first time they had conceded three goals in a game all season.
With Flackwell Heath’s match against Kidlington rained off, Thatcham’s 17th win in 22 games saw them return to the top of the table.
But co-manager Danny Robinson refuses to get carried away by his side’s lofty position.
“Going top at this time of the year means nothing,” he said. “Kidlington are a fabulous side, so are Flackwell Heath. All we can do is to look after ourselves.
“But if we continue to churn out the results then it will put pressure on these two sides.
“I admit it does look as though we will be involved in the title race, but as I said there is still a long way to go yet.
“There is a great deal of talent here. There are no superstars and they are a great bunch of lads. It is very much a team ethic, a family ethic, we have here.
“When everyone is fit and available it gives Gareth and myself selection problems, but we try to pick the right blend for each game. At times, though, it does give me sleepless nights.”
Thatcham take a break from league action on Saturday to play Shortwood United Reserves in the third round of the Bluefin Cup.
Hungerford Town saw their Southern Premier home fixture against Slough Town postponed on Saturday.
The pitch at Bulpit Lane failed late inspection by match officials and will now take place at a later date.
Crusaders were hoping to extend their superb 13-match unbeaten, having drawn 1-1 at title-chasing Chippenham on Boxing Day.
Chippenham, lying second in the table, took the lead in controversial style when assistant referee Adrian Matthew ruled an effort from Alan Davies had crossed the line, even though Hungerford keeper Paul Strudley appeared to have kept it out.
However, Crusaders snatched a point thanks to a clever lob from substitute Mike Jones 15 minutes before the end.
Hungerford, now fourth in the table, travel to eighth-placed Dunstable Town this Saturday (3pm ko).
Newbury FC romped to a 5-1 away victory against Berks County in Thames Valley League Premier Division.
Kye Franklin and Conor Lynch both scored twice and Carl Jenner grabbed their other goal.
The league clash between Newbury Ladies FC and hosts Bracknell Town Ladies was called off on Sunday due to heavy rain.
Newbury host Milton Keynes City at Donnington Recreation Ground in the Southern Region Premier Division this Sunday (2pm).
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