05/09/11….Draw for Thame United in FA Cup prelims

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon: Newport Pagnell Town 1, Thame United 1; Saturday, 3/9/11 F A Cup Preliminary Round:

THAME face a replay at the ASM Stadium next Tuesday (6th) after drawing away 1-1 with Newport Pagnell Town last Saturday. This was a game of two halves with Thame having most of the play in the first half but being forced to defend for lengthy periods after the break. Thame goalkeeper, Nick Bennion had an excellent game, and made some quality saves. The game saw the debut of promising defender James Hickling, who was called up from the reserve team.

After an even start, Thame took the lead in the 10th minute. Luke Ricketts hit a perfect cross from the left wing which was met by Dan West, 8-yards from goal, with a well-placed header giving the home keeper no chance. Thame then had a good spell with West and Aaron Rogers, combining well ?up front?. Ricketts and Lewis Dean both went close whilst, at this stage, the home side did not pose any real threat.

The second half was very different. The home side attacked Thame from the restart, forcing a superb save from Bennion and grazing the crossbar. After 10 minutes of pressure, United recovered and Rogers was unlucky to see his clever chip well saved by the home keeper. Alex MacDonald was brought on for the injured Ben Connelly, taking a strikers role, with Rogers dropping back to midfield and Lewis Dean moving to the right wing. Bennion was again busy, making two particularly memorable saves. With 5 minutes remaining, following a Thame attack, a long ball was flicked on, between 2 Thame defenders, to put home striker Dom Lawless through on goal, and he slotted the ball pass the advancing Bennion from 15-yards. Two minutes later Luke Ricketts went close for United, but his shot was just wide. The final minutes saw Thame defending but there were no more real chances, and the contest continues on Tuesday.

Thame United: Bennion, Hickling, Mitchell, N. Rhodes, Steedman, Hayes, Connelly (MacDonald), West, Dean, Rogers, Ricketts.