T&R Interior Systems Thames FC 3 – 5 Waikato Unicol Reserves
Report by Jonathan Coles
Thames FC endured a second consecutive 5–3 defeat at home on Saturday 12 April, this time falling to a sharp Waikato Unicol Reserves side in an entertaining but ultimately frustrating match at Rhodes Park.
Under clear autumn skies, the home side began brightly. A pinpoint corner from Ben Taylor was gathered by Clark Veal, who laid the ball off to Michael Kim on the edge of the area. Kim made no mistake, rifling a low strike into the bottom corner to give Thames the early lead.
Unicol responded swiftly, piling on pressure that tested the Thames defence. A goal-line clearance from Elliott Wilson denied an equaliser, but a lapse in concentration just before halftime proved costly. A long-range free kick from Unicol centre-back Xander Hearfield was misjudged by young goalkeeper Kobe Brown and sailed untouched into the net to level the score.
Unicol carried their momentum into the second half, going ahead through Tyrrell Henderson’s close-range finish after a scramble in the box. Thames, however, showed resilience. Kim once again played a key role, threading a perfectly weighted ball to Caio Araujo, who calmly slotted home his second goal in as many games to make it 2–2.
The match became a frenetic end-to-end affair. Veal and Brown both came close to tipping the balance, but it was Unicol who regained the lead in bizarre fashion in the 80th minute. A looping clearance from Hearfield drifted over everyone — including a surprised Brown — and bounced into the net.
Thames pressed forward desperately, but were caught out on the counter as Cameron McKay added a fourth for the visitors. Taylor gave the home crowd hope with a thumping header from a Xavier Brown corner, but Unicol sealed the result with a late goal from Brad Sissons at the near post, capping off a slick team move.
The win sends Unicol to the top of the table, while Thames FC are left searching for answers after a stuttering start to their season.
With an Easter break ahead, Thames will have time to regroup before a tough away trip to Morrinsville.
