Thurlow Nunn Premier: Walsham-le-Willows 0-0 Thetford Town

7th March 2026

Walsham-le-Willows vs Thetford Town @ Morrish Sports Ground - Walsham-le-Willows

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)

15:00 KO

£9 entry

Attendance - 139

Half-time score: Walsham-le-Willows 0-0 Thetford Town

Final Score: Walsham-le-Willows 0-0 Thetford Town

With Thetford Town losing to bottom of the table Cornard United last week, the chances of making the play-offs were on a knife-edge. They now face an uphill battle and need to win as many of the remaining games as possible, but they faced a stern test on-the-road at local rivals Walsham-le-Willows. Our opponents were having a so-so season, but have recently signed some players on loan from higher level Bury Town and Newmarket Town, including centre-back Josh Curry and striker Josh Lee, they would be tougher than the table suggested, and it is always a tough place to visit.

A printed matchday programme was on offer for £1, a nice glossy full colour one, not bad!

It was a grey day with a bit of a chill in the air. The pitch looked decent enough, but bobbly in places, and the new scoreboard was certainly impressive. Before long the teams were lining up, Walsham-le-Willows in red and yellow, with Thetford Town in their away mint green kit. The Thetford Town Ultras were present and brought some decent noise and the game paused on the 73rd minute for a minutes applause for groundsman Neil Hurrell who recently passed, it was well-observed by all.

KEY MOMENTS

WLW = Walsham-le-Willows

TT = Thetford Town

3' - WLW - Walsham with the early chance, Huckvale slips the No.9 through on goal, the Thetford defenders simultaneously shout for offside but the play continues, Pride is out like a flash to close the ball down, the effort deflects off him for a corner and the two players collide, the No.9 down for a while to receive treatment.

13' - WLW - The Walsham 10 with a powerful strike from 20yrds, it dips down viciously but Pride is on-hand to make the diving save, pushing the ball out for a corner.

26' - WLW - The hosts with another chance, Huckvale with a snap strike from inside the box forces Pride to make yet another good stop.

35' - TT - Billy Batch attacks down the left-flank, he drills the ball through the danger area, captain Elliot Smith is in the middle for the tap in but his effort is blocked by the boot of a covering Walsham defender and the ball goes out for a corner, although somehow the officials award a goal-kick....

45'+3' - TT - Just before half-time Thetford win a free-kick in a dangerous position, just outside the box and to the left. King steps up and hits a wonderful free-kick, it is heading towards the top-left corner, just under the bar, however, keeper Self at full-stretch gets a fingertip on the ball, to push it over the bar for a corner.

65' - TT - Buttle with a great bit of skill to get past the defender, he blitzes down the left and whips the ball into the box, there is a big scrap for the ball and a Thetford player goes down, but despite the shouts nothing is given and the ball is ultimately cleared by the hosts.

78' - WLW - Walsham with a free-kick near the by-line on the left-flank. It is delivered into the far-post, captain Sam Nunn is there and goes for goal, but he cannot direct it into the net and finds nothing but side netting, big let off for Thetford!

89' - WLW - A ball is played through for Huckvale to chase, he collides with Billy Batch and Pride clears, but a free-kick is given, seemed harsh as looked like a collision and Pride has it covered. Substitute Deeks steps up and fools the wall to hit a low effort to the bottom left-corner, but Pride is not fooled and gets down well to make the save.

93' - TT - Substitute Laker with a strong effort from just outside the box, it takes a deflection but Self reads it to make the save.

95' - WLW - Deep in injury time and the visitors nearly claim all 3-points. They attack down the left, the ball is pulled back and the shot comes in, Pride goes the wrong way but manages to stick a leg out to make the save of the game, rescuing a point for Thetford.

96' - WLW - A neat ball is chipped over by substitute Twinn to find Huckvale in the box, on the bounce he elects to half-volley the ball, it is sweetly struck but shaves the outside of the near-post, a few inches to the right and it would have been a sure goal!

Whilst it felt like a win was essential, Thetford Town done well to secure the draw, the hosts having the better and more numerous chances in the game, some great saved from Elliot Pride keeping us in that one! Results elsewhere went our way so the dream of promotion is not yet over with Ely City and Great Yarmouth Town both losing, so this point could prove valuable. Thetford are missing the goal scoring ability of Antwan, it is now 5 halves of football with no goal, and not a good time for a dry patch. Looking at Walsham-le-Willows, Huckvale was their stand-out player, strong direct runner, battles hard and a good strike on him, impressive player, and Lanchester also shone in the back-line. Thetford have another chance to get 3-points on the board this coming Tuesday evening when they make another short journey, this time to Lakenheath, always a fun place to go. Hopefully will be a good night for the lads in claret and blue, and all associated with the club, UP THE TOWN!!!

Line-Ups:

WALSHAM-LE-WILLOWS: Ben Self, Reece Lanchester, Sam Nunn (C), Oli McKenzie-Vince, Josh Curry, Harvey Hubbard, Zac Gayfer, Harley Curtis, Matt Collins, Reon Huckvale, George Bugg. SUBS: Kieran Twinn, Ryan Clarke, Matt Glover, Isaac Moss, Ethan Deeks.

THETFORD TOWN: Elliot Pride, Billy Batch, Josh Wells, Ryan Haylett, Dylan Grove, Jeorgy Batch, Elliot Smith (C), Cameron King, George Diggins, Jordan Buttle, Harvey Lott. SUBS: Adam Laker, Sam Bond, Callum Olpin, Jake Mann, Theo Piggott.