20/03/13….Thame win over Abingdon Town

THE pitch at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday (19/03), which was waterlogged on Saturday, recovered well despite Sunday?s snow, Thame United?s fixture against Abingdon Town was able to go ahead.

It was a fast, entertaining game which Thame won 2-1. The visitors played better than their lowly league position suggested but were unable to penetrate the Thame defence and their efforts on goal were mainly from long range.

The opening exchanges were even, but United gradually gained the upper hand and went ahead in the 18th minute. Luke Ricketts took a corner on Thame?s right which Nik Rhodes met, near the penalty spot, with a strong, unstoppable header. Thame was looking the sharper side, creating chances with Matt Johnson and Matt Hall both going close. It was 1-0 at the break.

United increased their lead a few minutes after the restart. Ben Gray played a short ball to Ricketts, just inside their opponents half, and the on-form Rickets broke down the left wing, cut inside and hit a perfect low cross to Gray who finished confidently from five yards. The game ebbed and flowed with united having slightly more possession. Thame keeper, Lee Farrow made some good saves, until with, 10 minutes remaining, he was beaten by a strong 25-yard shot from Ben Taylor which found the corner of the net.

In the final minutes Alex Stewart and Hall brought good saves from the visiting keeper.

Final score: Thame United 2, Abingdon Town 1

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Way, Johnson, Rhodes, Jewell, Connelly, Hall, Stewart, Gray (Dell), Ricketts.

United are away to Oxford City Nomads next Saturday (23/03), whilst Thame United Reserves meet Penn and Tylers Green Reserves at the ASM Stadium. The first team?s next home game is on Easter Monday April 01, when league leaders Marlow visit in a rescheduled fixture.