Former Thame Players Scores Against Old Club (By Bob Dixon)

THE match on December 27, was Joint manager Alan Thorne?s first view of the young Thame team for since his appointment.
His partner, and former caretaker manager Richard Searl, fielded the same squad who had drawn 4-4 against Hemel Hempstead, although some defenders were assigned to different positions.

It was a fast moving match played on a very cold afternoon in which there was little to choose between the sides for the first 75 minutes. Thame had the better of the opening exchanges, with both Craig Caldwell-Smith and Darren Moore looking dangerous. The visitors had a good chance after 30 minutes when they were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Moore dummied and Nik Rhodes struck the ball hard but was unlucky to see it clear the crossbar by inches. Marlow gradually fought back and just before half time Paul Searl made an excellent save from Marlow striker Adam Dickins. This was the first of several fine saves that Searl made during the game. The teams went in for half time with the goalless score, which was a fair reflection of possession.

The first half hour of the second half was similar with close chances at both ends. On 62 minutes, Mactaggart, in the Marlow goal, brought off a particularly memorable save from a strong Luke Fisher shot. Towards the end Marlow were gaining the upper hand and were rewarded when on 83 minutes, former Thame player Colin Simpson, who had just come, on, headed a corner home from the near post. United threw everything into attack but this inevitably left defensive gaps. Simpson exploited this by netting his second from 8-yards with 3 minutes remaining.

Overall a disappointing result for United, but Alan and Richard can take encouragement that for long periods of the game, there was little to choose between 5th Placed Marlow and their young, bottom of the league, team.

Marlow 2, Thame United 0

Thame United: Searl, Hocking, N. Rhodes, Eason, Lane (N. Stewart), A. Rhodes, Fisher, Connelly, Moore (Finch), Caldwell-Smith, Boland