31/01/11….Draw for new-look Thame side

MATCH Saturday, January 30 Hellenic Supplementary Cup – Rayners Lane 3, Vs Thame united 3; MATCH REPORT: Mark West took the opportunity presented by this Supplementary Cup tie to rotate the squad, as Ollie Gomersall, Alex Jewell and Lawrence Clark were called-up from the successful reserve side, whilst keeper Lee Orkney returned to the first team for the first time this season following knee surgery.

And it was Orkney who was the outstanding performer as his man-of-the-match display ultimately ensured Thame progressed to the next round.

The opening exchanges of the match were fairly even, but the hosts started to create the clearer openings and almost took the lead after 10 minutes when a Rayners Lane forward found himself in space only eight yards from goal, but Orkney did well to block his shot. Shortly afterwards Orkney was again called on, acrobatically pushing a goal bound header over the bar. It was not all one-way traffic though, as Jewell fashioned some clear openings, whilst Stuart Barr was causing trouble down the Thame left. However, it was Rayners Lane who opened the scoring after 25 minutes. The home side were awarded a free kick that was flicked on at the near post and finished well, giving Orkney no chance. Thame were back on level terms five minutes later as Mitchell Meredith played a Barr corner back across goal for Nik Rhodes to finish confidently.

With the game even at half time, Thame started the second half brightly. After 48 minutes Mark Jones won a free kick on the edge of the box, which Meredith powerfully placed in to the bottom corner. That, unfortunately, was as good as it got for Thame as an attacking force as Rayners Lane pushed Thame deep in to their own half in search of an equaliser. Orkney was forced in to several good saves until, with 15 minutes to go, he could do little to stop the equaliser as the Rayners Lane striker cut inside to score from 15 yards.

That is how the match finished after 90 minutes. Going in to extra time it was advantage Rayners Lane as, after 9 minutes, Thame failed to clear a corner and a shot from the edge of the box came through a bunch of players to beat Orkney. Again, Thame came back and five minutes later a Barr corner was forced home at the near post by Nik Rhodes.

The game finished 3-3 and went in to penalties. With both sides missing, and Rayners Lane having the opportunity to win at 3-2, Orkney pulled off a fine save. Thame then got themselves 5-4 ahead in sudden death before Orkney became the match winner with a stupendous stop, that sees Thame progress to the next round.

Thame United: Orkney, Rockell, Way, Meredith, Rhodes, Connelly (Clark), Cowan, Gomersall, Jones (Hayes), Jewell, Barr.