16/03/11……Thame Goalie sub untested against Witney

LEAGUE MATCH – Tuesday, 15/03/11; Thame United 2 Vs Witney United 1; THAME recorded their first win since mid February at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening, when they defeated Witney United 2-1. With goalkeepers Milan Barisic, Paul Searl, and Lee Orkney all injured the game saw the debut of Tom Plumridge in the Thame goal. He played well, but as much of the play was in the Witney half, he had a quiet evening.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges but it was Witney who scored first. After 7 minutes play Craig Mays hurled a long throw in into the Thame box which Peter Nagy met with a glancing header into the top right of the goal, giving Plumridge no chance. Mays dangerous Ricardo Fuller like throw ins, were a feature of the rest of the game.

Thame controlled the remainder of the half. Alex Stewart and James Faulkner combined well together and looked dangerous. Ben Connolly created several chances on the right and was unlucky to see a long range shot hit the bar. The home side equalised in the 37th minute after being awarded a free kick about 25-yards from goal. Stewart hit a hard shot which was blocked by the wall, but fortunately the ball came back to him and he struck another shot, through a crowded penalty area, into the bottom left of the goal .

The first 20 minutes of the second half were fairly even but then Thame regained the upper hand. On 70 minutes Stewart met a Connolly cross and ?scored? but his effort was ruled offside. The home side?s winner came with 12 minutes to play. Ben Connolly was clattered on the right and a free kick was awarded. Stuart Barr hit a perfect in swinging ball high across the goalmouth, and the on-form Nik Rhodes met it at the far post to head home. Thame almost increased their lead with 4 minutes remaining when Stuart Braun met another free kick with a good header producing an excellent, point blank, save from the keeper.

Thame United: Plumridge, Newell (Meredith), Pykett, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Hayes, Connelly, Braun (Hunt), Stewart, Faulkner, Barr.

CONTRIBUTED by Bob Dixon