18/02/13……Thame strengthen’s league place

LEAGUE game: 16/02/13 – Thame United 3, Wokingham & Emmbrook 2; MATCH REPORT – In an entertaining match, Thame United defeated Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-2 at the ASM Stadium on Saturday. The win strengthens United?s sixth place league position, with Wokingham currently lying in seventh place.

Although first half possession was fairly even, United?s keeper, Lee Farrow, was not really tested whilst the opposing keeper was far busier. After 15 minutes Luke Ricketts created a good chance when he collected a throw from Farrow and ran along the left wing before cutting in and unleashing a shot which hit the far post before rebounding to Ben Connelly, whose reactive shot was wide.

Thame were looking dangerous and a Ben Gray shot forced a first class save from the Wokingham keeper. With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Thame were awarded a penalty when Gray was felled in the box, but the on-form keeper did well to save Mitchell Meredith?s spot kick. Thame?s breakthrough came a minute before the break when Alex Stewart met a low Ricketts cross with a 15-yard shot into the far corner.

The visitors came out fired up for the second half and put Thame under pressure hitting the crossbar after two minutes. They equalised on 57 minutes when Matt Jones headed in a high cross from the right at the far post. Thame recovered, and once again created more chances with Dan West, Stewart, and Ricketts all going close. On 80 minutes Farrow made an excellent save from a strong long range shot.

United?s second goal came on 86 minutes when a Ricketts corner was headed down and Gray forced the ball home from close range. The best goal of the Match came two minutes later. The ball ran loose and bounced in front of West who reacted quickly to hit a blistering 20-yard shot, giving the keeper no chance. The visitors scored their second goal deep into additional time when Jones pounced on a defensive error and fired home.

Overall it was an impressive performance by on-form United, who have only lost one of their last 8 games.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart (Hodgkins), Gray (Jewell), Ricketts.

Thame are at home again next Saturday (23rd) when they face second placed Ardley United.