17/11/10…..Flattering score from Thame United

LEAGUE GAME: 13/11/10 – Fairford Town 2, Thame United 5
MATCH REPORT from Bob Dixon:

Thame travelled to bottom of the league, Fairford Town on Saturday and recorded a 2-5 win. United were however slightly flattered by the score. Two of their goals came from goalkeeping errors and United?s goalkeeper, Milan Barisic saved a penalty. The visitors however, who were behind at one point, were the better side. United were without Adam Rhodes, whilst Ben Connelly, who is recovering from injury, spent most of the game on the bench.

After an even opening 10 minutes Thame started to gain the upper hand and, following a corner, Sam Cowan was unlucky to see his header hit the crossbar. He has two more close range heading chances in the next 10 minutes, both of which were high. Fairford seemed content to hit long-range shots and, against the run of play, went ahead in the 25th minute when James Skinner hit a well-placed 25-yard shot into the bottom right of the Thame goal. The visitors equalised 2 minutes later when a Luke Ricketts free kick from the right found Nik Rhodes at the far post who somehow bundled the ball in. United went behind again in the 36th minute when the ball crossed the goal line during a goalmouth scramble. Four minutes later a good ball from Stuart Barr found Luke Rickets in space on the left, and his confident 15-yard shot gave the keeper no chance. United took the lead just before half time when a Ricketts cross was knocked back to goal by Alex Stuart to Barr, who headed in from close range. The home players and supporters shouted handball, but the goal was awarded.

United?s fourth goal came in the 60th minute when the home keeper miss-kicked a pass back and the alert Stuart pounced and buried the ball. With 12 minutes to play, substitute Connelly increased Thame?s tally to five when he intercepted another back pass and finished well. A few minutes later Connelly was clattered, and limped off shortly after, reducing Thame to 10 men as all subs had been used. In the dying minutes Fairford were awarded a penalty, which was well taken but the on-form Barisic dived low to his right to make an excellent save.

Thame United: Barisic, N Rhodes, Newell (J Way), Saulsbury, Brown (Mitchell), Cowan, Barr, Hunt (Connelly), Stuart, Braun, Ricketts.