04/04/11….West banished as Thame lose first game in last eight

LEAGUE GAME: 02/04/11 – Ascot United 2, Thame United 0-MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

THAME UNITED failed to score for the first time in eight games on Saturday (02/04) at Ascot, where they were defeated 2-0. Both teams had played twice in midweek and as a result looked weary.

The opening exchanges saw fairly even possession with neither team creating chances but then on 15 minutes Thame keeper Lee Orkney was forced to make an outstanding close range save by deflecting the ball onto the crossbar. Possession was even, but it was the home team who were creating the chances, forcing Orkney into action, and twice hitting the woodwork. Thame however struggled to find away through to goal, and went in for the break having not really tested the home keeper.

The second half continued in the same vein. Thame?s best chance fell to James Faulkner, on 60 minutes but his shot was scuffed and the home keeper saved comfortably. Ascot took the lead in the 64th minute when a free kick was met with a strong header onto the crossbar but the ball came out to Ollie Lambert who headed in from close range. Ascot?s second came seven minutes later via a set piece. A corner on the right was played back to defender Rob Gier who hit a superb 30-yard screamer into the top left, giving Orkney no chance.

Thame?s Conor Hayes was shown a yellow card for what looked like a fair tackle, after which manager Mark West became increasingly vocal in his criticism of the referees decisions, many of which were highly questionable. With about 15 minutes remaining, West was dismissed from the technical area and watched the remainder of the game from the touchline. It was from there that he saw Thame?s only other chance, when Nik Rhodes headed a Luke Ricketts corner just over the bar.

Thame United: Orkney, Meredith, Pykett, Saulsbury, N. Rhodes, Hayes, Barr, Rogers, Faulkner, Ricketts.

There is a double bill at the ASM Stadium next Saturday 9th. The reserves kick off at 12.00 against Newbury reserves, whilst the first team face Fairford Town at 3.00.