29/10/12…..Win for wind-blow Thame United

LEAGUE GAME – Saturday, 27/10/12 – Thame United away to Holyport 1, Thame United 2; MATCH REPORT: Thame United gained three points at Holyport last Saturday, winning 1-2. The game was played on the coldest day so far this winter and the strong, gusting north wind assisting Thame in the first half and the home team after the break. As a result, Thame spent much of the first half in their opponents half whilst there were far fewer second half attacks.

The visitors started well, winning a corner from the kick off and another three corners in the first five minutes. It soon became apparent that the wind would influence the game when home goal kicks did not cross the half way line. Thame were creating chances with Ben Gray and Nik Rhodes both going close. Holyport settled and took the lead after 11 minutes with their first real attack. Thame conceded a corner and when the ball was only partly cleared it came back, and a scramble ensued with Sam Jones eventually knocking it home from close range.

Thame equalised after 22 minutes, from their ninth corner of the match when Nick Rhodes met the Dan West corner kick with a stunning diving header. The wind assisted Thame team were in control and Gray found the side netting with a half chance whilst Jordan Rogers was unlucky to see his 20-yard shot hit the crossbar. United went ahead in the 35th minute when Gray and Rogers went for a Ben Connelly cross, at the far post, but a defender denied them both by deflecting the ball into his own net. The final few minute of the half saw the home side regain some control.

The second half was an anticlimax. It was more even and, whilst icy rain began to fall, both sides created chances but neither keeper was troubled, and there was no further score. The result lifts United to 10th league place, and they are now undefeated in their last five league games.

Thame United: Farrow, Barr, P Pykett, Rhodes, Hercules, Hayes, Connelly, West, Hodgkins, Gray (Johnson), Rogers (Evans).

United are at home next Saturday (3rd November) when a League Cup game brings Newbury to the ASM stadium for the third time this season.