Thame ends Chinnor’s winning streak – Match report

LEAGUE GAME – 31/03/09 – Thame United 2, Chinnor 0

THAME United ended Chinnor’s run of seven unbeaten games, and extended their own run to five successive wins on Tuesday evening.

This brings the results and goals scored between the two teams this season to level pegging. They drew 1-1 in November?s league fixture, and Chinnor beat Thame 2-0 when they met in an Oxfordshire Cup game in December.

Thame United?s descent through the football pyramid in recent seasons has caused the two teams to be more evenly matched, and the rivalry between them has grown making their encounters a real local derby. As Thame Chairman Jake Collinge pointed out in the match programme, a significant proportion of players will have played for both clubs at some point in their career. It was not surprising therefore that Tuesday?s game attracted Thame?s highest attendance of the season and spectators were treated to a fast, entertaining game, played in an electric atmosphere.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but as the game progressed, Thame started to gain the upper hand. In the 22nd minute Thame winger Ben Connelly, who was in sparking form, hit a low cross from the right, and following a goalmouth scramble, the ball ended up in the Chinnor net. Referee Evans initially awarded a goal but then saw his linesman?s flag raised and went over to consult with him. As a result, Chinnor were awarded a goal kick, as the ball had gone out of play during the build up.

There was a moment of real quality about 10 minutes later. Following a Thame corner, the ball fell to Stuart Barr who hit a blistering, first time shot, from the edge of the penalty area only to see Chinnor?s goalkeeper Lee Orkney make an outstanding save.

The home side took the lead in the 40th minute. Thame broke on the left and Mark Jones hit a pass to Connelly who was about 20 yards from goal. Chinnor defender and former Thame player, Mark Avery, intercepted the pass but the tenacious Connelly took the ball from Avery and calmly beat the advancing Orkney. The teams went in for the break with Thame deservedly in the lead by one goal.

At the restart, Chinnor?s Gary Marshall came on for the injured Alex Stuart. The visitors were stronger in the second half with Thame keeper Paul Searl, who had been untroubled for the first 45 minutes, much busier. Both teams were playing well and the crowd were treated to some enthralling end-to-end football. With about 20 minutes to play, it looked as if Chinnor had equalised when both Marshall and Searl went for a long free kick and the ball ended in the back of the net. The ?goal? however was disallowed for a foul on Searl.

With about 10 minutes left, Chinnor took off central defender Richard Carr and threw everyone forward in search if the equaliser. Thame?s second goal came in injury time when Connelly hit a long clearance from his penalty area to substitute Tom Hoskin, who picked it up near the halfway line. The speedy Hoskin ran at goal, pursued by Richard Avery, who challenged him just after he had cut into the penalty area. Referee Evans, perhaps harshly, immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Adam Rhodes buried the spot kick, and it was effectively ?game over?.

Thame United: Searl, Cowan, Way, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir, Connelly, Rhodes, Rogers (Hoskin), Jones, Barr (Ricketts).

Thame have a busy schedule next week, visiting visit Newbury on Saturday 4th, Henley on Tuesday 7th, and Prestwood on Thursday 9th. Their next home game is on Easter Saturday 11th when they entertain league leaders, Ascot United.