Thame United at their best against Marlow (Contributed)

LEAGUE GAME – Saturday, March 8 – Thame United 2, Marlow United 0 – Match report:
Thame United comfortably defeated Marlow United on Saturday. The visitors, who are second in the league, had only been beaten three times this season so a Thame win seemed unlikely. Perhaps encouraged by their mid week cup win, Thame delivered one of their best performances this season and as a result moved up to 7th league place.

First team goalkeeper Paul Searl injured a finger during the mid week game and so reserve team keeper Mike Higgs took his place and had an excellent game. Searl, who was on the bench, came on half way through the second half, and played well as a striker.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, but then the visitors had their best spell of the game and created some good chances. Higgs however made some good saves and, after about half an hour, the home side started to gain the upper hand. Thame were playing with a strong wind behind them, which in the 32nd minute denied them a goal. Luke Ricketts played a good ball to Nathan Jack on the left and Jack intelligently lobbed the advancing keeper from about 30 yards. On a still day the ball would have ended up in the net, but the wind took it and it came down to hit the top of the crossbar. The teams went in for half time with the game goalless.

Thame came out fired up for the second half and immediately mounted a series of attacks. Their first goal came 5 minutes after the restart when, following some good work, Ben Connelly found Matt Leach on the right. Leach hit a low cross across the goalmouth, which Ricketts knocked in, off the goalkeeper, from close range. Thame continued the pressure and the half was 25 minutes old before the visitors forced a save from Higgs. The home team were now in control and the visiting keeper was kept busy. Thame?s second goal came with 5 minutes to play. Following two blocked shots on he left, the ball was played to Connelly, in space, at the edge of the box. He hit a superb well-placed shot, which sailed into the top right corner. A few minutes later Thame had an opportunity to make it three when Chris Watkins beat his man and made a run on the left before delivering a good cross to Jack, but his header was high.

Thame, who were still attacking when the final whistle blew, played with an understanding rarely seen this season and with so many good performances that it was impossible to award the Man of the Match to one person.

Thame United: Michael Higgs. Thompson, Watkins, Graves, Hocking, Cowan, Connelly (Mountford), Rhodes, Leach (Searl), Jack, Ricketts.

Thame do not have a game next Saturday. Their next fixture as away to Henley Town on the evening of 18th March.