21/03/11….Another win for ‘improving’ Thame United

THAME United 3, Kidlington 1 League match 19/03/11 – MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon

THAME United defeated second placed Kidlington at the ASM Stadium on Saturday in a close and entertaining game. With most first team regulars now recovered from injury, Manager Mark West was able to field a strong team, which grew with confidence as the match progressed. Playing his third game for Thame, James Faulkner had an excellent game, and was chosen as man of the match.

The first half was goalless, although there were chances at both ends. A Kidlington header hit the woodwork after 5 minutes and later Thame keeper Milan Barisic was forced to make a quality save from visiting striker Anaclet Adhiambo. At the other end, The Kidlington keeper did well to save a Luke Rickets shot and to push a close range Faulkner header onto the crossbar.

Thame took the lead six minutes after the restart. Stuart Barr hit an inch perfect free kick on the left to the far post where Martin Brown rose to head home. United?s second came in the 64th minute. Alex Stewart juggled a Barr throw in and knocked it to substitute Mitchell Meredith, unmarked on the edge of the area, who hit a strong shot giving the keeper no chance. The visitors lost a man in the 70th minute when Danny Mason made a late tackle, and was dismissed for his second bookable offence. Despite being a man down, Kidlington pulled a goal back, with 10 minutes remaining, when Adhiambo knocked the ball into the path of Ryan Curtin who slotted the ball pass Barisic from 10-yards. The visitors pressed for an equaliser and Barisic was forced to make another excellent save. As Kidlington pressed, they became vulnerable to Thame a counter attack which duly came in the 90th minute when Faulkner ran at goal before squaring to Substitute Conor Hunt who knocked home from 8 yards.

Overall, it was an encouraging performance from an improving Thame side that can be proud of their win.

Thame United: Barisic, Barr, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Brown (Newell), Hayes, Connelly, Braun (Meredith), Stewart (Hunt), Faulkner, Ricketts.