Another Step From Relegation For Thame (Contributed)

Thame United 2, Bicester Town 2;March 10, League match
THIS was an entertaining game in which, for the second successive week, Nathen Jack scored a brace for Thame as they drew with 10th placed Bicester Town. The point resulted in Thame climbing another league place in their fight to avoid relegation.

After an even first 15 minutes, Thame started to gain the upper hand and controlled the remainder of the half having several good chances. They were unlucky not to take the lead in a frenzied 40th minute when Jack rounded Bicester goalkeeper Jeff Simmonds at the edge of the area and hit a goal-bound shot which was blocked by a defender. The rebound fell to Anthony Dawson whose shot was also blocked; Jack picked it up and hit the crossbar, Dawson then met that rebound with a header which was cleared. Bicester took the lead 2 minutes later when, following a Thame free kick Simmonds hit a long kick which sailed over the heads of the retreating Thame defence and found Bicester striker Adam Hamp unmarked. Hamp turned and hit a good lob over Thame keeper Mike Higgs from 25 yards. Despite having more possession Thame were a goal down at half-time.

Thame?s equalizer came in the 58th minute when Robbie Eason lifted a ball from just inside the visitors half to Jack who struck a quality lob over Simmonds from 20 yards. Bicester then had their best spell of the game and took the lead again with 10 minutes remaining when the experienced Hamp played a square pass to Danny Bone who struck a good shot pass Higgs from 15 yards. Shortly after, Thame were awarded a free kick 35 yards out and Adam Rhodes hit a superbly placed shot towards the top left hand corner of the Bicester goal but Simmonds just got a finger tip to the ball and turned it wide. With a minute of normal time remaining Manager Mark West, who had brought himself on as a substitute, found Jack in space and Thame?s leading goal-scorer hit a beauty from 20 yards to square the match.

Thame United: Mike Higgs, Ansell, Da Silva, Boult (Rhodes), Eason, Matt Higgs (Hocking), Connelly, Saulsbury, Jack, Dawson (West), Moore