26/04/10…Champagne flows as Thame United take the Championship!

NEEDING three points to secure their first league title in 15 years, Thame United defeated Eton Wick with such ease that the score line did little to reflect their dominance of the game.

Going in to the game, United could have been forgiven for being nervous, whilst the poor condition of the pitch had the potential to be a leveller. As it was however, United were quickly in to their stride and put their opponents on the back foot with their quick passing and movement. Within the first fifteen minutes Luke Ricketts, Ben Connelly and Adam Stallwood all had good chances to put Thame ahead but either failed to hit the target or forced the visiting keeper in to a good save. The pressure finally paid in the 21st minute when Ricketts delivered a free kick from the left in to the box where top scorer Mark Jones got in front of his marker and placed a bullet header to the right of the keeper.

From the re-start Thame immediately went in search of the second goal, with Sam Cowan heading over, captain Nik Rhodes going close from a corner and striker Aaron Rogers placing the ball just wide when clean through. Despite all the possession, United went in at half time only a single goal ahead, but knowing that if they continued to play at the same pace, a little more composure in front of goal would reap dividends.

They were rewarded five minutes in to the second half. Ricketts beat his marker on the left before delivering a square-ball in to the box to striker Stallwood who with back to goal, turned too quickly for the visiting centre back whose tackle did no more than remove Stallwood?s standing foot and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Adam Rhodes confidently despatched the penalty high to the keepers right. In the 66th minute United made it 3-0. Ricketts again set up the goal in a jinking run to the by-line before squaring across goal where Stallwood was left with an open goal from three yards.

At 3-0 it was game over and despite further chances for Adam Rhodes, Stuart Braun and Stallwood, United were more than happy to take the three points and the league title to go along with promotion to the Premier Division.

At the final whistle the champagne flowed as the management team of Mark West, Frank Thompson and Vince Saunders celebrated on the pitch with the players who, after a long season, proved that they were the best team in the league.

United will be presented with the league trophy in their final game of the season on Saturday 1st May away at South Kilburn.
Thame United: Orkney (Searl), Barr, Way, Cowan, N.Rhodes, Connelly (Wakelin), Jones, A.Rhodes, Rogers (Braun), Stallwood, Ricketts.