T&R Interior Systems Thames FC have jumpstarted their 2025 season with a decisive 4–2 victory over Hillcrest United at Rhodes Park on Saturday, showcasing attacking flair and resilience in a spirited home performance.
Thames wasted no time stamping their authority on the match, producing a fluid opening goal inside the first 10 minutes. Keegan Apperley and Sanket Gurung linked up cleverly to release Michael Kim down the left flank. Kim beat his marker and squared for 17-year-old Raegen Winslow, who coolly slotted the ball into the far corner to open his senior account and give Thames a 1–0 lead.
The home side struck again moments later. A teasing free-kick from Sam Cox caused panic in the Hillcrest box, and skipper Mickael Dernoncourt reacted quickest to poke home Thames’ second.
The pressure kept coming as Thames carved through the Hillcrest defence with precision. Ben Taylor’s pinpoint through ball found Kim, who curled a sublime effort into the far corner, capping off a dominant half-hour spell that saw the hosts surge to a 3–0 lead.
Hillcrest were given a lifeline just before the break when a contentious handball against Dernoncourt led to a penalty. Toby Robinson made no mistake from the spot, pulling one back for the visitors as the first half ended 3–1.
Revitalised after the break, Hillcrest enjoyed their best spell of the match. Benjamin Groom found space at the far post to convert a low cross and reduce the deficit to 3–2, putting Thames under pressure for the first time.
The home side responded by tightening defensively and soaking up pressure, while still threatening on the counter. Thames came close to extending their lead when an Apperley corner found an unmarked Dernoncourt, but the captain’s header drifted narrowly over.
The decisive blow came on the hour mark. A long Matt Baines throw-in was brought down by Kim, who weaved through defenders in the box before rifling a low shot inside the near post, sealing his brace and restoring a two-goal cushion.
Despite Hillcrest’s late push, including a near-miss header from Lucas Burney, Thames held firm to claim a well-earned win and their first three points of the season. The result lifts them to eighth on the ladder, just two points behind next week’s opponents, Hamilton Wanderers.
With confidence building and momentum finally on their side, Thames FC will look to climb further up the table in the coming rounds.
Report by Jonathan Coles
