Thame’s ‘Best Performance For Ages!’

F.A. Cup August 19, Match Report – Wembley 3, Thame United 0. (Contributed)
THAME United had the dubious honour to be the first team eliminated from this season?s F.A. Cup competition on Saturday.
The game at Wembley was moved forward to Friday evening to allow for T.V. recording by both the BBC and Sky. The BBC featured match highlights in Saturday?s Football Focus programme. The F.A. Cup was on display to the 200 or so spectators before the game. It was an entertaining match played at pace – a fitting start for the competition.

Thame went a goal down in the first minute when Wembley were awarded a free kick five yards outside the Thame penalty area. A set piece, straight from the training ground, saw Thame players fooled into thinking the ball was going right but it was reversed to Jomo Mitchell unmarked on the left. Mitchell struck a powerful shot from 15 yards and, although Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl got a hand to it, the ball finished in the back of the net.

Thame countered and there were chances at both ends. After 15 minutes a defensive error allowed Wembley?s pacey striker Steve Augustine though on goal to finish clinically from 10 yards. Thame then had their best spell of the match. Dave Tregurtha almost scored from a corner but his header was inches wide of the post. A few minutes before half time, the impressive Nick Gibson unleashed a strong shot from the edge of the box which hit the Wembley cross bar. The ball fell to Ben Connolley but before he had it under control he was closed down and the chance was lost.

The second half saw some entertaining end-to-end football with both sides going close. The final goal came in the 62nd minute and was a brilliant individual effort. Wembley?s Paul Shelton picked the ball up just inside the Thame half and ran at goal. He beat at least two defenders before dribbling around the advancing Searl and side-footing the ball home. A few minutes later it looked as if Wembley would increase their lead when, following a clumsy challenge by Magid Raja, they were awarded a penalty. Searl however pulled of an outstanding save from Mitchell?s spot kick. The final 15 minutes saw Thame fighting unsuccessfully for a consolation goal.

Although this was a disappointing result, Wembley are an impressive side and the Thame performance was their best for ages.

Thame United: Searl (capt.), Jackson, Watkin (Johnson), Raja, Tregurtha, Kitson, Cairns, Connelly, Cakmak (Miller), Gibson (Davis), Jack.