Close win for Thame United

Bicester Town 0, Thame United 1
MATCH REPORT 15/11/08 – Oxfordshire Senior Cup

It is six years ago that Thame United won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup for the second consecutive season. Since then the club has been evicted from its ground and been relegated twice. Nevertheless, Thame
played well on Saturday and beat higher league opposition in a close game at Bicester, winning by the only goal in the first round of the competition.

The home side had marginally more possession, but were unable to penetrate an increasingly well-organised Thame defence.

Bicester had the better of the opening exchanges but, against the run of play, Thame went ahead in the 14th minute. Following a home attack, the ball was cleared to Ben Connelly on the right near the halfway
line. Thame’s on-form winger made a good run, beating his marker on the way, and hitting a perfect cross over the home keeper’s head and finding the unmarked Mark Jones who finished confidently, at the far
post. Thame could have increased their lead a few minutes before halftime when, what looked like a well rehearsed set piece from a corner, resulted in Nik Rhodes forcing an excellent save from the Bicester keeper.

There was a moment of drama six minutes into the second half. A Bicester attack saw the ball crossed from the right and a Thame defender unfairly stopped an attacking forward from heading it. The
referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Luckily for Thame, Chris Johnson placed his spot kick too close to Thame keeper Paul Searl who blocked it. Johnson reached the rebound first and fired another shot which Searl again blocked. As the ball ran free, both the keeper and Johnson went for it and the ball seemed to cross the goal line. The referee judged however that Johnson had fouled Searl and Thame were awarded a free kick.

The remainder of the game was end-to-end stuff with Thame substitute Tom Hoskin hitting the post and Searl making some fine saves at the other end. There was a moment of concern when, within a minute of
Thame bringing on their final substitute, team captain, and central defender Dave Hocking was injured. Thame adjusted their formation however with Sam Cowan moving to defence and Hoskin moving to
midfield, whilst Hocking hobbled on up front. The final few minutes saw the Thame goal under siege but they held onto the lead, and will face local rivals Chinnor in the next round.

Thame United: Searl, Newell, Graves, N. Rhodes, Hocking, Cowan, Connelly (El-Kassir), A. Rhodes, Catlin (Hoskin), Jones (Williams),
Wallace.