Three In A Row Without Defeat For Thame

LEAGUE MATCH – Saturday, March 3; Pegasus Juniors 1, Thame United 2; Match Report By Bob Dixon
THAME United made the long journey to Hereford on Saturday and returned with a well deserved three points after recording a 2-1 win, a score line which belied Thame?s overall superiority.
Leading Scorer, Nathan Jack, netted both Thame?s goals in the ninth and 65th minutes and thus deserves the headlines, but the victory owes much to a committed and spirited performance from all 13 players used during the game.
In an evenly balanced opening half, Jack put the visitors in front after nine minutes crashing home a trademark, left-foot shot from just outside the box. The lead lasted for a mere ten minutes however, when, from a rare Pegasus attack, Daniel Sobocinski lobbed an equaliser.
Skipper, Greg Boult, almost regained the lead three minutes later but his crashing drive scraped the cross bar. Shortly after this, Thame?s left back Dave Hocking received a bad knee injury and was replaced by Joe da Silva.
The remainder of the first half proved uneventful but after the break, Thame came out fired up with the intention of dominating the half and, on 55 minutes, James Saulsbury came close to scoring his side?s second goal when after his initial attempt was blocked, his follow up shot from the edge of the penalty area brought a fine save low down from keeper Bryn Watkins.
From an isolated Pegasus raid Thame?s stand in keeper Ed Farmer (replacing broken leg victim Lee Farrow) was called into action on 64 minutes when he pushed a fierce shot from substitute Liam Jones round the post. From the resultant corner Thame regained possession and the ball was knocked on to Jack who burst through to score calmly from 12 yards – this time with his right foot.
Adam Rhodes almost increased the lead when his well struck free kick from 30 yards was pushed over by the keeper and then on 71 minutes, came one of the few controversial incidents of the game. Goalkeeper Watkins appeared to take Nathan Jack?s feet from under him but to the total amazement of the Thame camp, referee Davies awarded a free kick against the Thame striker.
Thame continued to dominate the rest of the game creating further scoring opportunities most notably Darren Moore?s 85th minute effort but in the end had to settle for 2-1.

It is now three league games without defeat for Thame and Mark West?s side now look forward with optimism to home games with Bicester on Saturday (10 March) and troubled Hounslow Borough the following Tuesday.

Thame United: Farmer, Smith, M Higgs, Eason, Hocking (Da Silva), Boult, Saulsbury, Rhodes, Jack, Dawson (Connelly), Moore.