16/04/12…. Thame gets ‘ the bird’ at Slimbridge

LEAGUE match 14/4/12 – Slimbridge 2 Thame United 0 (away); Match report by Bob Dixon. THAME United travelled to Gloucestershire based, Slimbridge last Saturday where they were defeated 2-0. Although United had the bulk of possession they were unable to penetrate the home side?s well organised defence and did not really stretch the home goalkeeper.

Thame had the better of the opening exchanges, and Luke Ricketts created a good chance when he hit a low cross hard across the goal which beat the keeper but Lewis Cordice narrowly missed knocking it in at the far post. The home side?s first goal came after 12 minutes with a sweet curled 20-yard shot from striker Alex Higgs. United pressurised the Slimbridge goal for the remainder of the half with Dan West and Luke Rickets going close. Te ball rarely left the home side?s half and Thame forced five corners to Slimbridge?s nil.

Possession was more even after the restart. The home team?s second goal came in the 77th minute when, following a Thame attack, a long ball was played to substitute Jamie Martin who beat his marker and ran at goal before stroking the ball pass United?s keeper Mike Higgs. Minutes later Cordice was unlucky to see his scissors kick sail over the bar. Ben Gray also went close and, at the other end, Higgs made a good save to deny Slimbridge a third.

Thame United: Higgs, I Pykett, Hall (P Pykett), Willett, N Rhodes, A Rhodes, Connelly, West, Cordice (Sykes), Grey, Ricketts.

United face another trip to Gloucestershire next Saturday (21st), when they play their last game of the season at high flying Shortwood United.