21/08/10…Narrow defeat for Thame United

AWAY LEAGUE GAME – Saturday 21/08/2010 – Wantage Town 1, Thame United 0 – MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bob Dixon)

THAME United narrowly lost their second league game of the season on Saturday away to Wantage Town. Although there was little to choose between the teams, the home side ?edged it? and just did enough to earn their win.

Despite the loss, United stay in 17th league position, having the best goal difference of the six clubs who have yet to win.

United were without Alex Stuart, Luke Ricketts, and Martin Brown. The game did however see the welcome return of Aaron Rogers. It was a game in which defences dominated, with both teams seemingly unable to string together more than a few passes before losing possession. As a result, scoring chances were few.

Wantage has slightly more ball possession in the first half, with Thame?s threat mainly coming from Ben Connelly runs on the right wing. One such run resulted in a difficult half chance for Aaron Rogers but, as he met Connelly?s cross, his marker closed him down and his header was high. The home side took the lead in the 42nd minute from their 3rd corner of the match.

Central defender Stuart Cattell met the ball with a strong glancing header which Dan Baylie seemed to clear off the Thame goal line. The well-placed linesman however signaled that the ball had crossed the line and a goal was awarded.

United played better in the second half and almost equalised in the 55th minute when, following a Thame corner the ball fell to Rogers, but his shot was just wide. With 15 minutes to play, United goalkeeper Milan Barsic, made an outstanding double save, first parrying a strong shot and then turning another shot round the post. In the final minute, a Ben Connelly shot forced a good save from the home keeper.

Thame United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Braun (G Way), Connelly, A Rhodes, Smallwood (Jones), Rogers, Baylie (Hoskin).