Thaxted Rangers 2 : 1 Abington Utd

Thaxted welcomed Abington Utd to the Rec on Saturday for the last game of the season.

Following a run of three successive wins Abington came into the game knowing that only a win would give them a chance of avoiding relegation. Having lost to Abington only a few weeks back with the last kick of the game, Thaxted were keen to avenge the defeat.

With a lot to play for the game was certainly keenly contested and the visitors were very much up for it, which showed in the early stages.

However, Thaxted should have gone in front in the first five minutes when Andy Macdowell crossed for Tom Clark who appeared to have the simplest of tasks to tap into an empty net from close range, but somehow managed to blaze over.

There was little in it, then on the half hour, Thaxted went in front after a spell of pressure was rewarded when Shane Vince headed home from a corner. Tom Clark was then foiled by a fine stop from the Abington keeper when one on one, so 1-0 at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, lots of hustle

and bustle in the middle of the park, but not too many clear cut chances, but then the game opened up in the final 15 minutes.

First off good link up play between Tom Clark and Chris Grout ended with Chris putting the ball past the keeper and on its way into an empty net, when somehow the ball at the last moment had an uneven bounce and went past the post.

Then, moments later Tom Clark chased down an Abington defender, won the ball and went round the keeper to give Thaxted some breathing space.

However, with five minutes to go, Paul Potter’s rash tackle in the area and Abington were awarded a penalty, which was converted.

A nervy final few moments when Abington’s keeper came up for corners was defended valiantly by Thaxted who saw out the danger to record their first final game of the season victory since a 6-4 win over Melbourn back in the 2008- 2009 season!!

Team: A Jones, S Vince, S Mead, J Ormsby, A Macdowell (capt), W Perry, C Pink, G Withers, A Potter, C Daniels, T Clark. Subs: C Payne, C Grout, P Potter, M Williams, J Kichenbrand. Goals: S Vince & T Clark