Young Thame players show their mettle (contributed)

DESPITE the result, a young Thame United side gave another battling performance following their victory against Oxford City, and made Premier Division side Shrivenham work hard for their win.

In a game made difficult by the wind, the opening exchanges were fairly even as both sides took time to adapt to the conditions. However, Shrivenham broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when a breakaway down the Thame right resulted in a corner for the home side that was floated in towards the near post and headed beyond the out-stretched arm of Thame keeper Paul Searl. Thame looked to respond immediately, with the most threat initially coming from Stuart Barr and Ben Connelly, the former causing the home defence problems with his close control and the latter driving just wide in the 35th minute following good work from Sam Cowan. Nevertheless, the 1-0 scoreline to Shrivenham at half time was probably a fair reflection of the play.

The first twenty minutes of the second half were a different story as Thame, making use of Connelly and Luke Ricketts on the wings, pinned the hosts in their own half. Unfortunately, and despite good chances for Ricketts and James Bloomfield, United were unable to force an equaliser. Following a number of substitutions for both sides, the game became more end to end, and further chances were created for both sides. However, Thame could not find an equaliser and, in the end, had little to show from another encouraging performance from all members of the squad.

Thame United have a ?home? game against Winslow United on Friday 25th July at Watlington (6:30pm) kick off, followed by a game at Eton Wick on Saturday 26th July (3:00pm) kick off, before travelling to Abingdon Town on Tuesday 29th July (7:30pm kick off).

Squad: Searl, Newell, Stocker, Ansell, Graves, Cowan, Connelly, Jones, Barr, Leach, Ricketts, Bloomfield, Bell, Gascoyne, Hoskins, Gibbs.

Thame United will open the season proper with three home games. On Tuesday 12th August United face one of the favourites for the League Title, Kintbury Rangers, before playing Bitton in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on 16th August. South Kilburn, newly promoted from the Middlesex League, will visit United on Tuesday 19th August. For the third season, Thame will play ?home? games at AFC Wallingford.

19th July 2008

Photo:Ben Connelly who created several chances for Thame.