08/11/12….Thame lucky to draw after Barr sent off

LEAGUE game: 06/11/12 – Thame United 2, Ascot United 2; MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon:

THAME United drew 2-2 against Ascot United in a close game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening. Thame had slightly more possession in the first half, and were leading at the break, but the visitors came back in the second half to earn the draw.

Thame scored after four minutes from their first corner. Luke Ricketts took the in-swinging kick which beat the ascot defence and could have crossed the line unaided, but Dan West made sure with a touch from a glancing header, deflecting the ball away from the keeper. Not to be outdone, Ascot equalised three minutes later from their first corner, when Ian Brooks headed the ball home at the near post.

Both sides created chances as the game ebbed and flowed with Ricketts, West, and Stuart Barr all going close for the home side. Thame went ahead in the 45th minute once again from a corner. The West corner kick was only partly cleared, and fell to Nik Rhodes who reacted quickly to hit a strong shot from an acute angle to drive the ball home.

Ascot played with more determination in the second half and equalised on 62 minutes when defender Joe Yeates met a free kick with a strong header, giving Lee Farrow no chance. With about 15 minutes remaining, Barr left the pitch after being shown his second yellow card by a referee who, throughout the game, had gone for his pocket at the least provocation.

Down to 10 men, Thame played with one striker and were forced to defend for much for the remaining game. They defended well, limiting Ascot?s chances to long range efforts, to rightly earn a point.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett, Pykett (Meredith), Rhodes, Hercules, Rogers (Jewell), Connelly, West, Hodgkins (Gray), Barr, Ricketts.

PHOTO: Stuart Barr