16/08/10….United through to next round of FA Cup (Contributed)

MATCH REPORT – Thame united 3 Vs Shrivenham 0 – August 14, 2010; THAME United progressed in to the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a relatively comfortable and convincing win against fellow Hellenic Premier Division side, Shrivenham.

With the words of manager Mark West still ringing in their ears from the previous Tuesday, United set about their opponents from the start and immediately had Shrivenham on the back foot. However, the first chance of the game and, as it transpired, their best chance in the whole game, fell to Shrivenham in the fifth minute when a ball across the box found a Shrivenham player unmarked at the far post but, fortunately for Thame, he mis-kicked from close range. Shrivenham regretted the miss three minutes later when, following a series of corners, Adam Rhodes delivered another corner from the right that was flicked on by striker (and Man of the Match) Alex Stewart and the defender could do no more than divert the ball in to the back of his own net.

Ten minutes later and United found the net for a second time. Following good work from Adam Stallwood, the ball was played out to left back Dan Baylie who delivered a first time cross to the edge of the six yard box that Stewart headed powerfully in to the top corner giving the visiting keeper no chance. It was game over five minutes before half time when United extended their lead further. A free kick from deep in the Thame half was played forward to Stewart on the edge of the box, who deftly laid the ball off to Stallwood who shot powerfully in to the bottom corner of the net.

With Thame 3-0 to the good at half time, the second half became a stalemate with United content to preserve their lead. However, the best chance of the half fell to midfield player Stuart Braun who forced a good save from the visiting keeper. Shrivenham continued to press but they were limited to long range efforts on goal that were comfortably dealt with by Barisic in the Thame goal.

United have another home draw in the next round on 28th August, when they again face Hellenic League opposition in the form of either Fairford Town or Lydney Town.

Thame United: Barisic, Newell, Baylie, Saulsbury (G Way), N.Rhodes, Braun (El-Kassir), A Rhodes, Connelly, Stewart, Stallwood (Hoskin), Ricketts.

By Jake Collinge