08/11/10…..Thame take on pre-season favourites

WHILST Thame United went in to the game on the back of a 7-0 win against Abingdon Town, they knew that against Shortwood United, the pre-season favourites for the league title, they would do well to leave Gloucestershire with anything. That they did so with a clean sheet and three points was testament to a disciplined all round team performance.

Thame welcomed back the experienced centre back Martin Brown, with Luke Ricketts starting on the wide left. The game started in end-to-end fashion with Shortwood going closest after five minutes following a corner when the ball ricocheted around the Thame penalty box before eventually being cleared. Thame pressed forward and with striker Alex Stewart proving a handful for the Shortwood defence, a number of half chances were created. However, the best opportunity came to Thame after 20 minutes, a quick move down the Thame right eventually saw the ball crossed in to the box where Ricketts, positioned on the far post, was able to lift his shot from six yards over the keeper, only to see the ball come crashing back off the cross bar. Shortwood failed to take note of the threat and ten minutes later United scored what turned out to be the winner. Sam Cowan went on a powerful run down the Thame right, cutting in to the box and squaring the ball to Ricketts. Ricketts then played a short pass inside to Stewart who, despite being surrounded by three defenders, was able to place his shot wide of the home keeper.

Thame knew that Shortwood would throw everything at them in the second half, but they had not reckoned on a defence well marshalled by Brown and James Saulsbury and a solid display from keeper Milan Barisic that, throughout the whole of the second half, limited Shortwood to only one effort on target. Indeed, with Shortwood pushing forward, it was Thame who created the chances to put the game beyond doubt. First in the 66th minute Ricketts went on a trade mark run from his own half to the bye-line where his cross along the six yard box just evaded the on-rushing Stuart Braun. Ten minutes later and Nik Rhodes found himself in space 20 yards from goal, but his well hit volley was saved by the keeper. Despite mounting pressure from Shortwood in the last ten minutes, the resolute Thame defence held firm, and fully deserved the three points at the final whistle.

Final score: Shortwood United 0 Vs Thame United 1

United now travel to Fairford Town for another League game this coming Saturday (13th November 2010).

United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, Brown, Saulsbury, Hunt (Meredith), A.Rhodes, Connelly (Barr), Stewart (N.Rhodes), Braun, Ricketts.

Conributed by Jake Collinge
PHOTO: Goal scorer Alex Stewart (No 9) heads just over