Draw for ‘bouyant’ Thame United

MATCH REPORT: September 13, 2008 – Score: Thame United 1, v Rayners Lane 1.
Thame United are now without a game until September 27, and will spend most of the time between now and then wondering just how they failed to secure three points against a Rayners Lane side that produced only one shot on target in the whole game.

Buoyed by the return of striker Tom Goffe, United opened brightly and could have taken the lead in the first minute when Matt Miller saw his effort go wide of the post. As it was, it was Rayners Lane who took the lead in their first attack, as the new 3-5-2 formation for Thame was exposed down their left and a cross to the unmarked Kiren Thomas saw the striker head the ball firmly beyond Searl in to the top corner of the goal.

United responded well to the set-back, with Miller putting a header just over the bar from a cross from Luke Ricketts. With Goffe and Miller combining well, and Connelly down the Thame right beating the opposing left back with ease, it only seemed a matter of time before the equalizer would come. It looked to have arrived in the 24th minute when Connelly made another run to the by-line before cutting the ball back to Miller who, with back to goal, flicked the ball between his legs only to see the ball rebound off the post with the keeper well beaten. Connelly then went close as he sprinted beyond his marker and forced the keeper to make a good save low to his left.

United started the second half in similar vein, forcing Rayners Lane on to the back foot. Substitute Jack Green, who replaced the injured Miller just before half time, saw a header from 8 yards go just over the bar in the 47th minute, before his goal bound shot was blocked by a defender two minutes later. As Thame pushed forward, Mark West replaced Mark Jones and opened-up the Rayners Lane defence on a couple of occasions, but still Thame could not find the equalizer. However, with time running out Thame scored that elusive goal in the 83rd minute. Connelly was fouled on the right and Luke Ricketts crossed an inch perfect ball for Goffe to powerfully head home, giving the keeper no chance. The final few minutes saw both sides push forward for a winning goal, but in the end Thame had to settle for a draw, and will see the result as two points lost rather than a point gained.

Thame United: Searl, N.Rhodes, Thompson, Cowan, Jones (West (Newell)), A.Rhodes, El-Kassir, Ricketts, Connelly, Miller (Green), Goffe

Thame United Man of the Match: Ben Connelly
Photoo: Tom Goffe scores the equaliser for Thame in the 83rd minute.

THAME UNITED RESERVES began their season with a trip to Wootton Bassett Town in the Chairmans Reserve Challenge Cup. Finding themselves 2-0 down at half time, United battled well to ensure a 2-2 score after 90 minutes. In extra time, Wootton Bassett Town again took the lead with a dubious goal, before United again equalized. However, it was not to be for Thame as they lost 4-3 on penalties.

Thame United Youth Team top the Allied Counties Northern Division after two games. Following their hard fought victory 3-2 against Buckingham Athletic in their opening fixture, United destroyed Witney United in their second league game 6-1 with goals from Brougham (2), Meredith, Sherif, Hickling and Smail. United face Wokingham & Emmbrook in the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup, with the tie due to be played on Thursday 25th September at AFC Wallingford (7:45pm kick off)