Boult stretchered off as Thame remain top 09/03/10

LEAGUE GAME 06/03/10 – Thame United 1, Holyport 0; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

UNITED remain top of the league after a close match with fifth placed Holyport at Wallingford on Saturday.

This was a match of two halves, with Thame having the better of the first half but being forced to defend for lengthy periods after the break.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, but in the seventh minute Thame scored what proved to be the only goal of the match. Following good work on the right involving Sam Cowan and Ben Connelly, the ball was played to Aaron Rogers who beat his marker near the by-line and hit quality cross to Stuart Braun who confidently headed pass the visiting keeper.

A few minutes later another cross from the right almost lead to an own goal when it was deflected towards goal by a defender. It was judged however to have been cleared off the line, but spectators who were level with the goal line insisted that the ball had crossed the line. United controlled the remainder of the half with both Connelly and Braun going close. When the half time whistle blew Thame keeper Lee Orkney had not really been tested.

Whatever the visiting manager said to his team at half time worked as they came out fired up after the break and immediately put Thame on the back foot. About ten minutes into the half, Thame midfielder Greg Boult went down in pain after a 50/50 challenge. The game was stopped and Boult was carried from the pitch on a stretcher. Play continued whilst an ambulance arrived and he was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle. The visitors continued to put pressure on the home goal and Thame attacks were mainly limited to break-aways. The visitors had a good chance when striker Jamie Hanscombe met a free kick with a strong header which, fortunately for Thame, flew over the bar.

Thame defended well whilst some Holyport players became increasingly frustrated and lashed out, resulting in three bookings. Thame however, despite the provocation, calmly withstood the onslaught to take three valuable points.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell, Cowan, Boult (J Way), N. Rhodes, El-Kassir, Connelly, A. Rhodes, Braun (Jones), Rogers (Stallwood), Ricketts.

Thame united entertain Finchampstead next Saturday 13th March at Hithercroft Stadium (Wallingford)

PHOTO: Greg Boult who was stretchered off during Saturday’s game against Holyport, with a suspected broken ankle.