Defensive errors cost Thame cup match

FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round: 12/09/09 – Thame United 0, Burnham 2. MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

TWO defensive errors cost United as they slipped to defeat against unbeaten Southern League side Burnham in the FA Cup on Saturday. Whilst against teams of a similar level United may have expected those mistakes to go unpunished, against higher league opposition they were made to pay. That said, Burnham?s opening goal in the sixth minute still relied on a measure of good fortune.

As United sought to play the ball out of defence, a mistimed pass was collected by the Burnham left winger whose miss hit cross found its way to Rob Saunders. Saunders then scuffed his effort back across goal and, unfortunately for United, the quickest to react was the Burnham?s prolific goal scorer Dean Papali who beat keeper Lee Orkney from close range.

At this stage Burnham were on the front foot and extended their lead 10 minutes later when a cross from the left was met by Saunders, unmarked 10 yards from goal on the right side of the penalty area, who drove his shot inside Orkney at the near post. United improved significantly after the second goal and, for the remainder of the half, had as much possession and attacking play as Burnham. The nearest they came to getting on the score sheet was a thunderous effort from 30 yards by Lawrence El-Kassir whose shot was heading for the top right hand corner until the keeper pulled off a spectacular save to push the ball over the bar.

The second half started in similar fashion with United closing down the opposition and moving the ball around quickly. However, it was Burnham who nearly extended the lead in the 52nd minute when an effort from 18 yards came back off the post. Perhaps the turning point for United came with 25 minutes remaining. Luke Ricketts, who had the caused the Burnham defence problems all afternoon, ran in to the box only to be fouled as he beat his marker. To the surprise of most of the crowd, the referee awarded a goal kick and Ricketts, who sustained a serious head injury in the incident was forced to leave the field of play. United continued to press for a goal but were unable to find their way past a resolute Burnham defence, although substitute Tom Hoskin created a couple of half chances which, if luck had been with Thame, may have altered the result. As it was, Burnham took their chances early in the game and progress to the next round.

United are in cup action again next weekend as they travel to Halstead Town (Essex) in the FA Vase.

Thame United: Orkney, Cowan (Meredith), Wakelin, N.Rhodes, Hocking, A.Rhodes, El-Kassir, Barr, Jones (Way), Rogers, Ricketts (Hoskin).

THAME UNITED RESERVES were also in cup action as they faced Division 1 side Finchampstead in the Chairman?s Reserve Challenge Cup. United started the better of the two sides as they raced in to a two goal lead following a brace from Matt Leach. However, Finchampstead cam back strongly and scored three goals of their own. Raymond Patrick then scored an equaliser for Thame and forced the game in to extra time. There were no further goals during extra time and, in the penalty shoot out, it was Finchampstead who progressed winning 5-4.

PHOTO: Lawrence El-Kassir