Thame hold firm against Holyport (Contributed)

MATCH REPORT: Holyport 0, Thame United 2

United put in their best all-round team performance of the season in the last game of 2008 against a Holyport, a side who in their previous fixture had easily beaten league leaders Ascot United 4-1.

It was a measure of the quality of the performance that Thame’s keeper, Paul Searl, was rarely called to action for the whole game.

The omens, however, did not look good for United when leading scorer Matt Miller was injured during the warm-up. Any concerns from his late withdrawal were quickly dispelled as United spent the opening 15 minutes camped in the Holyport half. The first real opportunity came in the fifth minute when William Wallace, playing on the right of midfield in the absence of suspended Ben Connelly, connected with a volley 12 yards out that the keeper pushed beyond the post for a corner. A short while later lone striker Stuart Barr hit a spectacular overhead kick from 8 yards that forced the home keeper in to an even better save. Thame eventually got their reward in the 16th minute. Adam Rhodes flighted an inch perfect free kick in to the heart of the Holyport box that was met by Sam Cowan who volleyed beyond the keeper with the home defence static.

Thame continued to control the next 15 minutes without forcing the home keeper in to action. In the final few minutes of the half, Holyport had a sustained period of pressure but with Searl claiming every cross that came in to the box, they failed to create any real goal scoring opportunities.

In the early stages of the second half United had a great opportunity to extend their lead when another free kick from Rhodes was met by the head of brother Nik whose glanced effort went the wrong side of the far post. Whilst United were increasingly forced on to the back foot as Holyport looked for an equaliser, the defence held firm and Holyport grew increasingly frustrated, which was reflected in a growing number of yellow cards. The game was effectively over in the 69th minute when Luke Ricketts beat the keeper to a ball on the edge of the box that fell kindly to Tom Hoskin whose first effort was cleared off the line, with the rebound placed calmly in to the roof of the net. The goal was just reward for the performance and the final 20 minutes passed without significant incident, with the exception of a red card for Holyport substitute Phil Collins with 5 minutes remaining.

Weather permitting United have a home game on Saturday 10th January (3:00pm kick off at AFC Wallingford) against second place Wokingham & Emmbrook.

Thame United: Searl, Newell, Way, Hocking, N.Rhodes, Cowan, A.Rhodes, El Kassir (Hoskin), Wallace (Meredith), Ricketts, Barr

Thame United Man of the Match: Steve Newell

Photo – gGalscorers, Sam Cowan and Tom Hoskin