Entertaining Game For Thame V Marlow (Contributed)

Thame United 0, Marlow 1 – Report by Bob Dixon
THIS was an entertaining game and one in which Thame delivered an impressive second half performance. Seventh placed Marlow needed a win in order to regain a playoff place, whereas Thame, on the other hand, had already been relegated, and therefore another heavy defeat was ?on the cards?.
Marlow attacked from the start and the visitors created some good scoring opportunities. Although Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl was busy, the visitors’ finishing was however, poor and they squandered some good chances.
On 32 minutes, Thame defender, Dave Hocking, was harshly judged to have fouled his opponent and, after consulting his assistant, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Jack Smillie took the spot kick, but it was not well placed and Searl, diving to his right, made a comfortable save. The goal came four minutes before half time when, following a move which looked suspiciously offside, Jermaine Roche met a low cross from the right to finish from close range.

The first 10 minutes after the restart saw Thame defending, but gradually they began to trouble the visitors as they pushed for an equaliser. Darren Moore met a through ball and his strong shot forced the advancing Marlow goalkeeper to make an excellent save. Hocking probably had United?s best chance but sliced his shot.
As Thame pushed men forward, they inevitably left defensive gaps but Marlow seemed incapable of finding the target. With 12 minutes remaining, substitute goalkeeper, Ben Marshall, took over in the Thame goal and Searl swapped his jersey to join the attack.
The last few minutes were hectic and Marlow were pegged into their own half as the determined home side fought for a goal.

Thame United: Searl, Hopkins, Hocking (Marshall), Raja, Eason, Connelly, Fisher (Way), A. Rhodes, Moore, Dawson (Morgan), Groves.

Thame United do not have a game next weekend. They play their last home match of the season on Tuesday 25th, when Rushall Olympic are the visitors. Kick off is at 8.00pm.