Thame Utd lose to League favourites

THAME United suffered their second successive defeat at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (11/01), when they were beaten 0-3 by Wantage Town. The visitors are favourites to win the league so this was always going to be a tough fixture.

Nevertheless Thame played well and the score line flattered their opponents. United, who have been hit by injury and suspensions, were forced to field a weakened line up which included new signing Alex Kedzierski and reserve player Adam Hazel.

Thame started brightly and had more of the early possession. After about 15 minutes Wantage settled, and created a good one- on-one chance which finished in the side netting. Possession was 50/50 for the remainder of the half with both Luke Ricketts and Dan West going close for Thame, whilst the visitors hit a goalpost just before half time.

Wantage came out fired up for the second half and went ahead 10 minutes after the break. A Thame corner was cleared allowing the visitors to break quickly and, two passes later, the ball was headed across the Thame goal where Richard Claydon headed in at the far post. Ricketts, who was a constant threat on Thame’s left, hit a good shot which forced an outstanding save from the visiting keeper.

Thame were pressing and both Ollie Lynch and Niall Hodgkins went close. Wantage increased their lead in the 79th minute when a ball from the right was cleverly flicked on to the unmarked Matt Pedder who beat Thame keeper, Josh Cockerill, from 15-yards, giving him no chance. With five minutes of normal time remaining, a defensive mix up allowed Harry Halls to score Wantage’s third goal. United continued to press to the end and a Ricketts’ shot was cleared off the line, but it was not Thame’s day and the visitors collected the points.

Thame United: Cockerill, I Pykett, Hall, Rhodes, Johnston, Lynch, Kedzierski, West, Hodgkins, Hazell, (Bonham), Ricketts.

Thame play at Abingdon United next Saturday. The next first team home game is on Saturday 25th January when United face Wokingham & Emmbrook in the Supplementary Cup.