24/03/10….United extend their lead! (Contributed)

HELLENIC League Division 1 East, Thame United 2 v Rayners Lane 0. Saturday, March 20, 2010 – MATCH REPORT

THAME United extended their lead at the top of the Hellenic League Division 1 East to seven points with a comfortable victory at home to Rayners Lane on Saturday and, at the same time, made it nearly eight hours of football since they last conceded a goal.

Played in damp conditions, it was United who started the brighter of the two sides and could have taken the lead in the 15th minute when a penalty was awarded following a foul on Luke Ricketts just inside the box. Unfortunately for the Thame followers Adam Rhodes?s powerfully hit penalty was well saved by the away keeper low to his left. The respite for Rayners Lane was, however, short lived as Thame continued to press for the opening goal. This duly arrived in the 34th minute when a Steve Newell cross from the right was headed back across the six yard box by Aaron Rogers, where Mark Jones was on hand to score from close range. United nearly doubled the lead five minutes later when a Stuart Barr shot-cum-cross came back off the bar. A short while later Jones then crashed the ball against the bar with a powerful header from a Pete Way cross.

As it was, United went in to the break with only a one goal lead that failed to reflect their dominance of the play. However, the second half was only five minutes old when United doubled their lead. Adam Rhodes floated a free kick in to the box that got the faintest of touches off Stuart Barr, and enough to deceive the visiting keeper. At 2-0 United were comfortable and had the luxury of playing the game at their own pace and tempo. Whilst Rayners Lane had increasing possession for the remainder of the game, Orkney in the Thame goal was rarely threatened and, on the occasions he we, he was more than able to deal with the threat. United had chances to extend their lead as man of the match Luke Ricketts was a constant threat to the away side, but in the end cruised to another win, their ninth in ten games, and their fifth consecutive clean sheet.

United now have another big game on Saturday (27th March) when they welcome local rivals Chinnor to Wallingford for a 3pm kick off

Thame United: Orkney, Newell, Way, N.Rhodes, Cowan, A.Rhodes, El-Kassir, Barr (Baylie), Jones, Rogers (Stallwood), Ricketts