28/03/11….Thame United through to the fourth round

PENN & Tylers Green 0, Thame United 1; 26/-3/11; Supplementary Cup – MATCH REPORT contributed by Bob Dixon.

UnUNITED progressed to the 4th round of the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup, at Penn & Tylers Green, on Saturday, when they won a close game 0-1. Mark West took the chance to rest some of his regulars with only six of last Saturday?s starting line up playing. After the debut, a few weeks ago of young right back Phil Pykett, his identical twin brother Ian made his first team debut at left back, Both had really good games, and with the experienced James Saulsbury and Nik Rhodes making up the back four, Lee Orkney?s goal was rarely threatened.

The first half saw United playing downhill on a bone-dry uneven surface. The home side had their best chance of the match after 5 minutes when a free kick skidded of the top of the Thame crossbar. A few minutes later Saulsbury headed a difficult chance over the Penn crossbar. United had slightly more of the first half play but the game was goalless at half time.

Shortly after the restart, Aaron Rogers hit a well-placed 20-yard shot which brought a good save from the keeper. The goal came in the 56th minute. After good work from Luke Ricketts on the left, the ball found Mitchell Meredith who passed to Stuart Barr, about 10 yards from goal. Barr?s hurried shot hit the crossbar but the ball came back to him and he was able to head home from close range. With about 20 minutes remaining, Luke Fisher was unlucky to see his first time 25-yard volley narrowly miss the target. The home side?s player/manager, and ex Thame player, Matt Miller came on for the final 15 minutes but although Penn looked sharper, they were unable to create any real chances and Thame deservedly won.

Thame United: Orkney, I Pykett, P Pykett, N. Rhodes, Saulsbury, Newell, Barr, Fisher, Meredith, Rogers, Ricketts.

PHOTO: Thame goal scorer, Stuart Barr