Solid win for Thame United against Finchampstead

MATCH REPORT – Contributed – League match 13/03/10 – Thame United 3, Finchampstead 0.

UNITED remain top of the league after a solid performance on Saturday when they defeated Finchampstead 3-0 at Wallingford. Influential forward Aaron Rogers was unavailable and, after about 30 minutes play, talented right-winger Ben Connelly hobbled off injured, but with the current depth of skill within the squad, these setbacks did not cause too many problems.

Thame had the majority of ball possession from the start and the first goal came on 20 minutes after a period of home pressure. United took a free kick which a defender headed out straight to Nik Rhodes who reacted quickly and hit a low, well-placed, 25-yard shot through a crowd of players into the left corner. Neither team, created any real chances in the remainder of the first half and at times, the play was scrappy, with few passing moves.

United played better after the break and increased their lead in the 58th minute when Luke Ricketts took an in-swinging corner from the right, which beat goalkeeper, defenders, and forwards to hit the far post side netting unaided. A rare goal, which I have not seen scored by a Thame player since the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final of 2002. Finchampstead created a good chance a few minutes later but the final header was, fortunately for Thame, directed straight at home keeper Lee Orkney who made a comfortable save. Thame?s third goal came on 79 minutes from a set piece when Stuart Barr took a corner on the left which the on-form Ricketts met, and flicked into the goal by the near post.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell, J. Way, Cowan, N. Rhodes, El-Kassir, Connelly (A. Rhodes), Barr, Jones (Meredith), Braun (Stallwood), Ricketts.

Thame are at home to Rayners Lane next Saturday 20th March.