03/10/11….Thame’s hockey men beat local rivals in pre-season warm up

THAME Men?s 1st XI came through a tough pre season match beating local rivals Aylesbury 3-2 giving them strong momentum going into the their first league fixture next week. Thame started strongly dominating possession through the midfield preventing the Aylesbury side, positioned two division higher, from gaining any momentum.

The Thame defence looked well organised and in control, as the game progressed Thame pushed forward with great distribution, particularly from man of the match Sam Seddon causing the home side numerous problems. Thame were finally rewarded when Sam Hall picked up the ball after a broken down penalty corner and finished emphatically into the roof of the goal. Mark Brooks soon added to the tally with a great individual goal rounding the keeper giving the visitors a 2 goal lead at the interval.

The second half saw Thame reduced to 10 men as Alex Merrick was forced to leave the pitch. Thame continued to work hard but Aylesbury pushed to exploit their numeric advantage and after a number of penalty corners were rewarded with a goal. Thame responded and restored the 2 goal lead when Brooks fired home his second of the match. As the second half neared the end having 10 men took its toll and Aylesbury used their subs well and exposing the tired Thame legs pulled a consolation goal back to finish the game 3-2.

SOURCE: Contributed

All four adult teams kick their seasons off on Saturday. The ladies and men’s firsts are both playing Amersham.