25/08/10…..First League victory for Thame United

LEAGUE MATCH – August 24, 2010 – BRACKNELL TOWN 2, versus THAME UNITED 3 – MATCH REPORT by Jake Collinge:

UNITED secured their first three points of the season at Bracknell on Tuesday evening, although the score line does little to reflect their dominance of the game.

After a flurry of corners for United in the opening few minutes, the deadlock was broken after five minutes with a goal that was simple in both construction and execution. A long kick from Thame keeper, Milan Barisic, was headed on by striker Aaron Rogers to Ben Connelly on the wide right. Connelly played the ball back to Adam Rhodes, whose first time cross was met by the head of Alex Stewart who confidently guided the ball beyond the home keeper. Stewart then nearly doubled the lead after half an hour when his turn and shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide of the left hand post.

However, United only had to wait another five minutes to extend their lead. The impressive James Saulsbury controlled the ball on the edge of his own box before feeding Connelly on the right, who went beyond his marker with ease and chipped the ball to the far post where Man of the Match Stuart Braun headed home. At this point, United were firmly in control and whilst Bracknell were dangerous on the break and from set pieces, Barisic had rarely been troubled.

The second half was only three minutes old when United increased their lead further. Stewart and Rogers combined well to put in Braun who confidently beat the keeper from close range. The game then became a midfield battle as both sides cancelled each other out, but Bracknell sensed a come back when they scored in the 77th minute. A flowing move down the right hand side resulted in a cross that Barisic did well to initially save before the ball fell at the feet of striker Dean Thomas who poked the ball through the legs of the stricken keeper. Two minutes later and Bracknell pulled another goal back. With Barisic having done well to push a 25-yard drive over the bar, the resulting corner again fell to Thomas who finished with confidence at the near post. Bracknell then pushed forward for an equaliser, but Thame defended the final few minutes well to secure their first league victory.

United return to FA Cup action on Saturday with a home game against Lydney Town. Kick off is 3pm at AFC Wallingford.

Thame United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, Saulsbury (J Way), N.Rhodes, Braun, A Rhodes, Connelly, Stewart (Jones), Rogers (Stallwood), Barr.