Convincing win for Thame in pre-season friendly (Contributed)

MATCH REPORT – Buckingham Town 0, Thame United 3; Tuesday, August 4, 2009 – Friendly

THAME United completed their pre-season preparation on Tuesday evening with a convincing 0-3 win at Buckingham Town. The hosts, who are managed by former Thame player/manager Tony Joyce, were no match for United?s young team. The visitors were better organised, faster, and looked fitter than the home side. Whilst Joyce constantly changed his squad, Thame manager Mark West kept his team fairly stable until the last few minutes.

The first half was goalless and although United created some good chances, they were met by an on-form home keeper. With two minutes of the first half left Nik Rhodes found the back of the home net, but the build up was ruled offside. A minute later Tom Hoskin hit the crossbar with a blistering 25-yard shot.

United broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Mark Jones met an Adam Rhodes corner with a header which gave the keeper no chance. The second goal came on 67 minutes and was all about pace. Tricky left-winger Like Ricketts, collected the ball at the half way line, beat his marker and ran to the left by-line before hitting a perfect pass to Hoskin who did well to finish clinically from close range. Thame?s final goal came with 6 minutes to play when, following a good move on the left; Jones hit a strong 20-yard shot, which took a deflection of a defender on its way into the net. Both West, and club chairman Jake Collinge came of for the final few minutes and Collinge got his first touch just as the final whistle blew.

Overall it was an encouraging performance, but the real test will come with the first league game of the season next Tuesday, at Wallingford, when United face Farnborough Reserves (formerly Bisley Sports)

Thame United squad: Orkney, Searl, Newell, P. Way, N. Rhodes, Hocking, El-Kassir, Barr, S. Rhodes, Hoskin, Jones, Ricketts, Wakelin, West, Collinge.