Promotion setback for Thame United (Contributed) 15/02/10

Thame United 2, Didcot Reserves 2 – League game – 13/01/10; MATCH REPORT

THAME United?s quest for promotion suffered a setback on Saturday, at Wallingford, when they drew 2-2 with Didcot Town reserves, a team they really should have beaten.

Although United had the majority of ball possession, they were largely ineffective on front of the visitors’ goal and had to come back from behind twice to force a draw. With expectation raised after two excellent performances, this game will be viewed as two points lost rather than one point gained.

United controlled the opening exchanges but scoring chances were few. Perhaps the best chance of the half fell to Luke Rickets, after 20 minutes, but his 15-yard shot was wide. Thame keeper, Lee Orkney hardly touched the ball and it was 33 minutes before he made his first save. The visitors however grew in confidence and three minutes later, he was beaten by visiting striker Luke White from 12-yards. The home side came back in the final few minutes of the half, but seemed unable to play with the pace, creativity and width seen in recent performances. Pundits in the home crowd put this down to the fact that Thame?s goal scorer and maker, Aaron Rogers was playing in midfield, rather than up-front.

Thame came out fired up for the second half and besieged the visitor?s goal with the ball rarely crossing into United?s half. Their pressure was rewarded with an equaliser in the 60th minute. Ricketts took a free kick on the right which was met by Nick Rhodes at the far post with a strong header which the keeper got a hand to but could not prevent from crossing the line. Thame?s pressure continued with both Stuart Barr and Adam Rhodes going close, it seemed only a matter of time before their winner came. Against the run of play, however Didcot hit Thame with their second goal in the 72nd minute. They broke quickly on the right and the ball was crossed to the unmarked Harry Halls who finished well from 15-yards, giving Orkney no chance. Parity was restored with 8 minutes remaining when the ball was played from the left to Stuart Braun who finished clinically from close range. The final few minutes saw United continuing their onslaught against a packed defence, but the scores were even when the final whistle blew.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell (Jones), Meredith, Cowan, N. Rhodes (c), El-Kaissir, Barr, A. Rhodes, Braun, Rogers, Ricketts.

United are away to South Kilburn next Saturday 20th February. Their next home game is on Saturday 27th when Chalfont Wasps are the visitors.