12/12/11….’Injustice’ spurs on Thame United

LEAGUE GAME – Saturday, December 10; Wantage Town 0, Thame United 1; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

FOLLOWING Saturday?s 0-1 victory at Wantage Town, Thame now occupy eighth league place, having played eight consecutive league games without defeat. The game saw the welcome return of Nik Rhodes after several weeks out with injury.

Thame looked the sharper side from the start and had the better of the first 15 minutes with Lewis Cordice playing a lone striker role. The home side came back towards the end of the half and, following a corner, Matt Hall did well to clear a header off the Thame goal line. The game was goalless at half time.

Three minutes after the restart, Thame central defender Jon Steedman was incorrectly judged to have fouled a striker who was through on goal, and was dismissed. This injustice seemed to inspire Thame?s remaining ten men and they scored 10 minutes later. Matt Hall took a corner on Thame?s right which a Thame head knocked down to Nik Rhodes, at the far post, who reacted quickly to finish from close range. Adam Little then came on to replace Cordice as lone striker. The remainder of the game was 50-50 with United defending well and ?snuffing out? any Wantage chances. With minutes remaining, good work on the right by Little resulted in a strong goal bound shot from Aaron Rogers which was blocked by a defender. Luke Ricketts picked the ball up and hit another goal bound shot which met the same fate. The home side hit the crossbar in added time. Seconds before the final whistle, Ricketts was scythed down when he was through on goal, but referee Boyles chose to end the game, rather than book and dismiss the culprit.

Thame United: Bennion, Mitchell, Hall, N Rhodes, Steedman, Keeble, Hayes, D. West, Cordice (Little) Rogers, Ricketts.

Thame entertain Bracknell Town on Saturday 18th December (3.00 k o)