Comfortable win for Thame United (Contributed)

LEAGUE GAME 17/02/09 – Thame United 7, Prestwood 0 – MATCH REPORT:
Thame United comfortably beat an unimpressive Prestwood side at Wallingford on Tuesday evening in a game that Thame controlled from kick off to the final whistle.

Thame were in 13th league place when the match started, with Prestwood occupying 16th, but such was Thame?s dominance that a stranger watching the game would not have thought they were in the same league.

The first goal came from a set piece in the 12th minute. Adam Rhodes took a corner, playing the ball back to Ben Connelly who hit a cross to the far post, which was headed back across the goalmouth for Lawrence El-Kassir, supported by Dave Hocking, to knock in from close range. Five minutes later Sam Cowan was fouled in the box, and Rhodes confidently buried the resultant spot kick. On 35 minutes, Rhodes threaded a good ball to Mark Jones who turned and hit a 15-yard shot giving the visiting keeper no chance. It was also Jones who got Thame?s fourth two minutes later and what a beauty it was. Stuart Barr on the left played an inch perfect ball to Jones who beat his marker to hit a looping, first time, volley over the goalkeeper?s head from about 12-yards. At half time, whist Thame went into their dressing room, unusually the Prestwood team crowded around their dug out for their team talk.

The first 30 minutes of the second half passed without Thame increasing their lead due largely to some excellent work from Daniel Little, the visiting goalkeeper. Thame brought on all three substitutes, and on 76 minutes, Tom Gough headed to fellow substitute Tom Hoskin who fired home from 5-yards. Five minutes later Connelly made a good run to the right by line before pulling the ball back to Gough who finished well from 6-yards. Goal 7 came with 2 minutes remaining. Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl collected the ball and hit a long kick which Gough back-headed into the path of Hoskin who rounded the advancing keeper and finished confidently from 15-yards. In extra time, Pete Way, who had grazed the post from a free kick in the first half, was unlucky to see another free kick ricochet off the top of the crossbar.

Overall, it was a good all round performance by Thame, who played with skill coupled with an understanding rarely seen this season. If they can continue in this vein against stiffer opposition, a top eight finish is likely.

Thame United: Searl, Newell, Way, Thompson (Meredith), Hocking, Cowan, Connelly, Rhodes Hoskin), Jones (Goffe), Barr, El-Kassir

Thame are away next Saturday, February 21 at nearby Launton Sports. Their next home game is on 28th February, when Finchampstead visit Hithercroft Stadium (Wallingford).