Late Start For Thame’s Close Encounter

Thame United 0, Hungerford Town 2 – 11/04/07 – League
WHEN these teams met at Hungerford in February, Thame were soundly thrashed 6-1. This encounter was much closer; the main difference between the teams was that whilst Hungerford turned chances into goals, Thame squandered their countless goal scoring opportunities.

Thame was without James Saulsbury who was injured in the pre-match warm up and was replaced by Adam Rhodes, but as a consequence the game started five minutes late. Thame had the better of the first half hour, putting together some good moves but Darren Moore, Dave Hocking and Adam Rhodes all managed to miss the target with only the goalkeeper to beat. Hungerford came back towards the end of the first half, but the game was goalless at half time.

The visitors came out fired up for the second half and went ahead in the 52nd minute when the ball found Graham Endey in space and he hit a well placed shot from 12 yards. Seven minutes later, after a period of Thame pressure, Hungerford broke quickly and, following a move which looked suspiciously off-side, Edney netted his second from 15 yards. The hard working Thame side pressed hard and Nathen Jack was unlucky to see his strong, goal bound shot blocked. With 10 minutes play remaining Manager Mark West brought himself on as a third forward and central defender Matt Higgs went off. Thame pressed, but Hungerford defended well and just about deserved their win.

Thame United: Barisic, Ansell, Steadman, Rhodes, Matt Higgs (West), Graves, Connelly, Hocking, Jack, Moore, Smith (Watkins).

Thame?s next home game is on Monday 23rd April (K.O. 7.45) when Fairford Town are the visitors.