Thame go top on heavy pitch

THAME United 4 Chalfont Wasps 2 – Hellenic League Division 1 East – Saturday, February 27, 2010 – MATCH REPORT

United returned to the top of the league on Saturday with a hard fought victory at home against Chalfont Wasps. Played on a heavy pitch that passed a late inspection, United fielded experienced midfielder, Jon Gardner, returning to the Club from Banbury United for his first game for Thame in five years. Whilst Gardner showed his experience, it was United?s young striker, Aaron Rogers, who stole the show with an outstanding Man of the Match display.

There was little goal mouth action in an even opening quarter of an hour as both teams took time to adapt to the conditions. However, it was United who took the lead in the 21st minute when captain Nik Rhodes met a free kick from Mitchell Meredith with a close range header that dropped over the line. The lead was almost doubled five minutes later when Gardner crashed a 20 yard effort against the base of the post. Despite Chalfont rarely threatening the Thame goal, the equaliser arrived five minutes before half time. Chalfont worked the ball well on the Thame left, where a cross to the far post was met by the head of Tripp who gave Orkney no chance in the Thame goal. The lead was restored three minutes later when, following a good passing move that belied the pitch conditions, Adam Rhodes received the ball 12 yards from goal and placed the ball to the left of the Chalfont keeper who, despite getting a touch, could not stop the ball from finding the back of the net.

With the second half only ten minutes old, Chalfont equalised for a second time. Tom Seddon found himself in space 10 yards from goal and was given time to place the ball low to the left of Orkney, Within a minute United were back in front. Rogers chased the ball to the bye-line, and played a neat inside ball that was met by Ben Connelly who finished confidently from 8 yards. By now, Thame were controlling the midfield and it was no surprise when they extended their lead 15 minutes later. With Chalfont failing to clear their lines, the ball fell to Lawrence El-Kassir on the edge of the box who hit a first time volley that was nestling in the bottom corner of the net before the keeper had time to react. At this stage it was game over with United generally content to take the three points, albeit Rogers continued to pose a threat and a number of half chances were created. In the end, United ran out comfortable winners with the three points putting them back to the top of the league.

United now face an important few weeks, starting with a home game against promotion rivals Holyport next Saturday (3:00pm kick off at AFC Wallingford), before entertaining Henley on 9th March, 7:45pm kick off

Thame United: Orkney, Meredith, Way, N.Rhodes, Cowan, A.Rhodes (Jones), El-Kassir, Connelly, Gardner (Baylie), Braun (Stallwood), Rogers

Photo: Thame captain and goal scorer, Nik Rhodes.