Thame United back in style after six week break 23/01/10 (Contributed)

AWAY LEAGUE GAME – 23/01/10 – Rayners Lane 0, Thame United 4; MATCH REPORT

AFTER six weeks without a competitive game, Thame United came back in style at Rayners Lane on Saturday, winning 0-4. United were without three key players due to suspension, but nevertheless they delivered their best performance for several months and outclassed their fifth placed hosts.

Thame controlled the opening exchanges and after 4 minutes play Aaron Rogers was unlucky to see his 20-yard shot hit the crossbar. Ten minutes later Stuart Braun met a Luke Rickets cross from the left but his header also hit the bar. The game was 18 minutes old before Thame keeper Lee Orkney was forced into action with a good save. Although Thame were in control, the game was still goalless, so it was a great relief to United?s 15 or so supporters when after 24 minutes they took the lead. Home keeper Dominic Cassells collected the ball but was slow to reintroduce it into play. Surprisingly the referee enforced the six-second rule, and awarded United an indirect free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Adam Rhodes then stood with his foot on the ball whilst his brother Nik took the kick, which he buried high in the right corner. Despite protests from the home crowd, the referee awarded a goal. The home side came back, and a few minutes later, following a home corner, Ricketts was forced to clear a goal bound shot off the Thame goal line. Just before halftime, Cassells parried a shot but then the talented Rogers gathered the ball and dribbled past the oncoming keeper before finishing from an acute angle.

The first few minutes of second half saw the home side attacking but then United regained midfield control. Their third goal came in the 58th minute when Rogers cut in from the left, beat two men on his way to the by-line, and cut the ball back to Stuart Barr who hit a well-placed shot from 12 yards. Rogers was on sparkling form, so it was no surprise when, 10 minutes later he, beat his marker and ran to the right by-line before squaring the ball to Stuart Braun, who cleverly deflected the ball home at the near post. During the final minutes, the plucky home side fought to get a consolation goal but Thame defended well with Nik Rhodes particularly influential at the heart of the defence.

Overall, it was an excellent performance by the Thame squad who, if they can continue their momentum, will finish in the top two at the end of the season.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell, Meredith, N. Rhodes, Hocking (P Way), El-kassir, Barr, A Rhodes, Rogers (Barnett), Braun ( G Way), Ricketts.

United are away to Penn & Tylers Green next Saturday 30th January. Their next home game is in on Saturday 13th February, when they meet Didcot Town Reserves.