24/08/11…Last minute goal leaves Thame all square with Henley

MATCH REPORT: League match – 23/08/11, Henley Town 1, Thame United 1; A last minute Thame goal saw the points shared at Henley Town on Tuesday evening. It was no more than their performance deserved, but there were times when Thame?s travelling supporters thought defeat was likely, as United struggled to penetrate the well organised Henley Town Defence.

The first half was goalless with United having the better of the first 15 minutes but then the home side coming back to put Thame ?on the back foot? for a lengthy period before the break. Neither goalkeeper was however really tested.

Whatever was said in the Thame dressing room at half time worked as United dominated the second half. The ball did not leave the Henley half for the first 5 minutes and spent 70% of the remainder of the match there as Thame mounted attack after attack. Stewart forced a brilliant save from the busy home keeper, whilst a goal bound Dan West shot was just deflected wide. Henley were quick to break and, on 55 minutes, Nick Bennion did well to take the ball from the feet of a striker who was through on goal. After an hours play, following a Thame corner Henley broke on their left and. as Thame defenders ran to get back, the ball was played to Matty Jacobs who hit a first time shot from 15-yards, giving Bennion no chance. Thame again laid siege to the Henley goal with Aaron Rogers, Luke Ricketts, and west all going close but they could not find the goal as Thame struggled to penetrate the packed home penalty area. Alex McDonald came on the replace the injured Stuart and with 5 minutes remaining, he slid the ball to Dan West whose shot found the back of the Henley net, but the effort was ruled offside. In the 90th minute a close pass from West on the left found McDonald who calmly slid the ball pass the home keeper. After the celebrations died down Thame continued to attack, but the points were shared.

Thame United. Bennion, Willett, Meredith, Steadman, N. Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart (McDonald). Rogers, Ricketts.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon