11/01/12….Thame Utd returns to winning ways

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon : League match played on 7/01/12 Kidlington 1, Thame United 3: THAME United returned to winning ways at Kidlington on Saturday when they defeated their hosts 1-3. Thame?s opponents are in a period of transition, having appointed a new player manager mid-week who made several changes to line up published in the programme.

United were once again missing several regulars, particularly strikers, due to injury or suspension. The game however saw the welcome return of defender Matt Willet after an Injury caused an absence of several months.

Thame scored within 20 seconds of the start. United kicked off and the ball was played to the left where a defender met it, but then played a poor pass which Luke Ricketts intercepted before running at goal and cleverly lobbing the advancing goalkeeper. A few minutes later Thame striker Lewis Cordice was clattered and was sadly carried from the pitch. He was replaced by Ian Pykett, normally a defensive player, but who did well in his unfamiliar striker role. The visitor?s were in control, and increased their lead after half an hour. Alex Stewart met a Matt Hall throw on the left by-line, turned and crossed to Pykett whose close range shot was blocked by the keeper, but James Keeble then met the rebound to knock the ball in from 6-yards. Kidlington came back towards the end of the half and pulled a goal back just before the break when Ryan Curtin headed a corner home.

The second half was more even with chances at both ends and Mike Higgs, in the Thame goal, made some good saves. United?s third goal came, on 62 minutes, from the penalty spot after Stewart was fouled in the box. Stewart took the spot kick and buried it, giving the home keeper no chance. The last 10 minutes saw the home side threatening Thame?s goal and a few minutes before time they hit the crossbar. United however withstood the onslaught to deservedly take the points.

Thame United: Higgs, Willet, Hall, Meredith, N Rhodes, Keeble, Barr (Steadman), Hayes, Stewart, Cordice (I Pykett), Ricketts.