Draw for Thame United at Woodley

MATCH REPORT: April 22, 2010 – WOODLEY TOWN 1, THAME UNITED 1.

IN a game of two halves, United were indebted to keeper Lee Orkney for a first half man of the match display that kept the away side in touch of their hosts at half time.

With Woodley still fighting for a top three finish in their first season in the league, they started the stronger of the two sides with Carl Davies, a former Welsh International, proving a particular handful for the Thame defence. Indeed, it was Davies who opened the scoring after five minutes, albeit the goal owed a lot to some poor officiating. The ball was played in to the Thame penalty area where, with the Thame captain Nik Rhodes about to clear, he was caught by Davies. However, to the surprise of the home and away support, the referee failed to award a free kick, and Davies had the easiest of finishes from 8 yards.

The remainder of the half saw Woodley continue to push forward, with Thame unable to find their normal rhythm and composure. Orkney, despite being injured in the warm up, was called upon several times to make good saves, with the only real threats for United coming from set pieces.

Whatever the management duo of Mark West and Frank Thompson said at half time, it worked. For the whole of the second half United were the dominant side, with Woodley content to try and hit Thame on the break. Whilst United created a number of half chances, mainly through the tenacity and trickery of Luke Ricketts on the left wing and the forward play of Adam Stallwood, they were unable to create any clear cut chances. However, with ten minutes to go United secured a deserved equaliser. Luke Ricketts hit a powerful corner in to the box that substitute Mark Jones met with an unstoppable header at the far post. After the equaliser, it was Thame who looked the more likely to go on and win the game. The nearest they came was an Adam Rhodes free kick from 25 yards that the home keeper did well to tip around the post for a corner.

As it was, United had to settle for a draw and they now go on to a home game this coming Saturday against Eton Wick (3pm kick off) knowing that three points will be enough to seal the league title.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell (Way), Meredith, Cowan, N.Rhodes, Connelly, Braun (Barr), A.Rhodes, Rogers (Jones), Stallwood, Ricketts.