Thame progress in Bluefin Supplementary Cup

THAME United progressed to the next round of the Supplementary Cup on Saturday (30/11) when they visited Headington Amateurs and defeated their hosts 2-3. Headington play in the Hellenic League Division One East where they currently occupy second place. This was therefore seen as a chance to rest some key players allowing Luke Hurley, Martin Griggs, and Matt Johnson to start.

The move however almost backfired as, with about 25 minutes remaining, Thame were trailing 2-1 and Mark West had to bring on two first choice players, and reshuffle his squad. The game saw the welcome return of Matt Hall who celebrated his homecoming with a well taken goal. Ian Pykett was injured during the warm up and striker Niall Hodgkins took his place at right back.

The opening exchanges were 50/50 but there were few chances created by either team. Thame took the lead after 20 minutes when Ellis Hercules met a Shannon Jesson free kick with a looping header which flew over the keeper into the top right. Sadly, minutes later, Johnson who was playing in central defence, was injured and was replaced by Nik Rhodes. The home side equalised 15 minutes later when Ollie Zaja met a ball from the left with a well placed 10-yard shot which gave Lee Farrow no chance. Thame were starting to look the stronger side and both Hurley and Griggs went close, but it was 1-1 at the break.

The home side went into the lead soon after the restart when they broke quickly and some slick passing stretched United’s defence allowing, former Thame player, Paul Hedger to fire home. A few minutes later Luke Ricketts made a great run on the left and hit a low ball across goal but the onrushing Hurley just failed to make contact. Lewis Cordice and Ben Connolly came on for Griggs and Hurley, whilst Hall, who had started on the right wing, moved to right back allowing Hodgkins to adopt his normal striker role. The shuffle paid off when, with eight minutes remaining, Hall got United’s second when he met a well taken Jesson corner with a classic far post header. It was all attack for Thame for the rest of the game, culminating in the final goal in the 90th minute, when Hodgkins knocked in a low ball from Ricketts at the far post.

Thame United: Farrow, Hodgkins, P Pykett, Hercules, Johnson (Rhodes), Lynch, Hall, Jesson Griggs (Cordice), Hurley (Connelly), Ricketts.

United are at home next Saturday (7th) when Abingdon Town are the visitors.