14/12/10….Thame Vets play the first game ever on new Thame turf

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Any MacDonald – Thame Vets 2 v KBAR Vets 0 – 11th December 2010.

Thame vets played their opening game at the new Meadow View Ground on a mild Saturday lunch time kick off against an experienced team from Kingston Blount/Aston Rowant. Andy ‘Ex-county’ McDonald from Thame, had gathered a bunch of ex squash players, Rugby players, runners and even some proclaimed to have played football before to start with a convincing win at their new home.

Andy appointed the vocal Thame boys U12 coach Gerald ‘Relax’ Reilly as captain for the day as he delivered on his task of shouting for the entire match at his players.

Thame started well, moving the ball nicely around perfect surface but KBAR were a good match showing their ability to work together as they have played together for so many years. One concern was the unusual colour and aroma from Jon ‘shouter’ Brooks in the first five minutes – maybe it was something he ate at his Christmas ‘do’ the night before? But Thame were more up for the game as Mark ‘Misery’ Gregory fought hard to win a header that put Jon ‘Step-over’ Cooke through to loop a speculative shot over the KBAR keeper to go one up after 15 minutes.

The Thame defence held well with Paul ‘legend’ Watson and Dave ‘Geordie’ Stephenson holding firm in defence ably backed up by Simon ‘cruncher’ Baldwin-Biggs. With several men short on their normal team, Thame concerns grew as Nick ‘Roadrunner’ Major tripped over his own tackle and left the field to be replaced by ex Thame United Striker Richard ‘I can?t believe I?m sub behind Nick Major’ Gregory. Rich bolstered the attack by joining ‘ex-county’ McDonald upfront who held the ball up well and worked tirelessly for his team.

Thame held on to the lead until half team and ‘Misery’ Gregory withdrew himself as did Simon ‘Bee’ Lazaruk.
Thame seemed to get stronger as the KBAR legs tired and Thame fitness levels looked good from Monday night practice games. Mark ‘Solo’ Watson showed strength despite moaning ever time anyone dared to tackle him and ‘Bee’ came back on to add some pace on the right and work well with ‘ex-county’.

Thame?s second came in unbelievable circumstances as ‘Roadrunner’ returned to the pitch and found himself actually onside for once and the ball at his feet, somehow mustering a shot that gave the keeper no chance to put Thame two up. That didn?t stop him straying into an offside position at least 25 more times.

‘Relax’ Reilly kept Thame calm with complete dominance of his goal and took a tumble in the last 10 minutes to find himself badly winded having leaped at least three inches from the ground. ‘Step-over’ Cooke continued to surge forward and put in a clear man-of-the-match performance for his efforts. ‘Shouter’ Brooks had now turned human colour again and his strength helped Thame in the latter part of this game. ‘Legend’ Watson continued to curse himself for no apparent reason. The whistle went and Thame had won a hard fought but fair game.

Thanks must go to Frank Thompson at the club for allowing us to be the first team to play on this pitch but hopefully we repaid some of this by draining most of the bar dry for the rest of the day.