19/03/12….Thame fails to flow against Holyport

LEAGUE MATCH REPORT: Date: 17/03/12 – Holyport 3,Thame United 1. Contributed by Bob Dixon. THAME United were defeated 3-1 at Holyport last Saturday. At kick off, Thame were five league places higher than their hosts, having plated three fewer games, so, on paper, a defeat looked unlikely. United however did not play well, and seemed unable to develop their normal flowing game. The game saw the debut of Josh Cockrell in goal for Thame.

Thame started brightly, and within two minutes a Stuart Barr lob forced a good save from the home keeper. United took the lead in the seventh minute when James Faulkner hit a speculative 40-yard lobbed shot from the left, over the keeper?s head, the ball bouncing as it crossed the line. Against the run of play, the home side equalised 4 minutes later when a ball from the right was knocked home from 12-yards. Louis Cordice went close before a few minutes later; Luke Ricketts was badly fowled as he ran at goal. Even the home supporters expected a red card to be shown but inexplicably, the offender received a friendly warning. Thame were on the back foot for the remainder of the first half but it was still 1-1 at half time.

Possession was fairly even in the second half although chances were few. Twenty minutes after the restart Dan West forced an excellent save from the home keeper. Holyport increased their lead from a corner with a simple far post header in the 70th minute. With about 15 minutes to play Thame?s were reduced to 10 men when Mitchell Meredith was dismissed for a tackle which was not as severe as the one on Connelly. The home side increased their lead with a minute remaining when a 15-yard shot took a deflection, giving Cockrell no chance.

Thame United: Cockrell, I Pykett, Hall, Barr (Meredith), N Rhodes, Willett, Connelly, West (Wakelin), Cordice (Grey), Faulkner, Ricketts.

Thame do not have a game scheduled for next Saturday (24th). Their next home game is on Saturday 31st March when Reading Town are the visitors.