The Draw of the Other Baggies

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 30th December 2023 at The Operatix Stadium
Result	Badshot Lea 2 Thatcham Town 2
Competition	Isthmian League Division 1 South-Central
Hopstats	Ground 771 on the lifetime list and I am here pragmatically rather than randomly. I had a choice of seven Step 4 grounds but three were impractical given the weather forecast. Of the other four, Badshot Lea gave a very clear and early indication that the match was on, thanks to a team of club volunteers who had worked to remove surface water in time for a referee inspection.
Context
The two teams are around mid-table in their division. Badshot won the September game at Thatcham by a solitary goal. Thatcham drew their last fixture, while Badshot had a postponement. I’m West Brom born-and-bred but it was not until today that I found out that another team shares the nickname of “The Baggies”.
In One Sentence
An entertaining contrast in styles, rather ruined by atrocious weather conditions after the hour.
So What?
The teams end the day in 10th and 12th places respectively.
Match Report
This was hugely enjoyable for the first hour, but then you had to feel for the teams as the weather turned very unpleasant with incessant wind-driven rain. Thatcham took an early lead. I was just making a note about how measured and attractive was Badshot Lea’s approach play when they gave the ball away on the halfway line. David Nyarko pounced and was able to convert the one-on-one chance. The equaliser came very quickly though. From a corner, I heard the shout of “Keeper!” shortly before the sound of the ball hitting the back of the net. George Hedley had beaten him to the ball. I claim half an assist as the person who retrieved the ball before the corner was taken. Badshot Lea returned to their passing play, working one-twos and triangles around the flanks, but it was again from a breakdown that Thatcham restored their lead. Nyarko chased a long ball and scored from a tight angle. It needed two good blocks in quick succession to prevent an equaliser, and Cameron Rohart-Brown fired narrowly over the bar. The only other incident of note was a minor scuffle which led to a couple of cautions after the referee had consulted both assistants. This was at the far end from me so I can’t say much else but the chat was that the Thatcham player had raised his hands but there had also been an element of retaliation. Only they will know, The second half started with another timely Thatcham block, and their keeper was almost embarrassed by a high bounce. We saw an interesting freekick routine where the chance of a direct shot was spurned in favouir of a pass to the flank – it came to nothing. However, Badshot Lea got their second equaliser just after the hour, a composed finish by Baback Dehgani after another spell of pressure.   Deghani celebrates his goal The conditions began to worsen and rather undermined the home side’s attempt to regain superiority. Both teams made the best of the conditions and there were a few more half-chances. Overall, an enjoyable outing for the passing neutral despite a tedious journey around the M25 each way.
Ground Pix
Pay attention to the advice given on the website about access and parking. The postcode alone takes you to a narrow lane with no entry to the ground.
Match Pix
Badshot Lea in the claret and blue. Conditions were not conducive to good photographs today.
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
Usually accompanied by a pre-match prediction on Threads just before kickoff. Working towards being able to compute a respectable test of statistical significance, it looks like an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test will be appropriate. The full keeper top performance table from my last 286 matches is here, on this separate page, and I’ll organise the test when we reach 300 pieces of evidence. Today, a draw between Pink and Green. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Away Win Was the prediction correct? No % of correct predictions so far 48% (67 from 141)
What Next?
It will be weather-dependent, but I hope to get in another ground from my Step 4 list on New Year’s Day, en route to the Midlands. Then the following weekend I will be at the FA Cup 3rd Round tie between West Brom and Aldershot – which will be my grandson’s first visit to the Hawthorns, and my first in the grandad role that was occupied in the 90s by my late father. No, you do not need to inform the NSPCC.