04/05/10….Thame United lose last game of the season

LEAGUE MATCH – 1/05/10 – South Kilburn 1, Thame United 0 – MATCH REPORT:

THAME United completed their season last Saturday, with a 1-0 defeat away to South Kilburn. This game saw United?s first defeat since early December. Since then they have played eighteen league games, winning fifteen and drawing three. Having won the league title the previous Saturday, there was little to play for and manager Mark West was forced to name both himself, and club chairman Jake Collinge as substitutes due to non-availability of several players.

The first half was fairly even with both sides playing attractive football at a fast pace. Thame Keeper, Paul Searle pulled of an outstanding save after about 10 minutes when he bravely dived at the feet of a home striker, who was through on goal, and won the ball. Lawrence El-Kassir was forced to leave the field after 25 minutes with an injury, and leading striker Mark Jones was pulled back to midfield, with substitute Matt Wakelin replacing him ?up front?. Thame went close to scoring just before half time when Adam Stalwood collected a Pete Way throw in, beat his marker, and hit a strong cross from the left by-line, creating a difficult half chance for Ben Connelly whose volley flew inches over the bar.

Kilburn had the bulk of possession in the second half, but were facing the best defence in the league and chances were few. The goal came with 6 minutes to play when striker Eric Hamilton met a low cross from the right with a strong volley just inside the near post, giving Searle no chance. With two minutes to play, Jake Collinge came on and played his part in a move which resulted in Thame being awarded a free kick just inside their opponents half. The whole Thame team, including goalkeeper Searl packed the Kilburn penalty area as the ball came in but it was cleared seconds before the final whistle.

Thame United: Searle, Newell, J.Way, Cowan, N. Rhodes, El-Kassir (Wakelin), Connelly, A. Rhodes, Stallwood, Jones (Collinge), Ricketts (Gascoigne)