24/09/12….Binfield end Thame’s winning run

MATCH REPORT: League game – Saturday, 22/09/12 – Thame United 0, Binfield 1.

THAME United?s unbeaten run of five games ended at the ASM Stadium on Saturday when they were defeated 0-1 by Binfield. It was a close game in which defences dominated and chances were few. United were without regulars Matt Willett and Connor Hayes who have both returned to their universities. Despite this Thame?s line up looked strong, but although they want close, they could not break through a competitive and disciplined Binfield side.

Binfield harassed Thame from the start, trying to push them back and pen them in. There was a bad tempered moment when visiting captain, Gary Callaway retaliated to an overenthusiastic challenge by Alex Stewart, and they were both booked. United created some chances with Luke Rickets forcing a decent save and Mitchell Meredith unlucky to see his goal bound shot blocked. The only goal came in the 37th minute when Joss Millar got in front of his marker and managed to get his foot to a pass, finding the target from 8-yards. United?s best chance came just before the break when, following a corner, there was a goalmouth scrabble which ended when Nik Rhodes deflected the ball onto the wrong side of the goalpost.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the second half and it felt that only mistakes or magic could bring a goal for Thame. A Dan West shot was high, a shot from Stewart was blocked and an Ellis Hercules header flew wide from the resulting corner. A few minutes later a long ball from Stewart created a chance for Ricketts but the keeper came out and made a good save. United?s only other chance came just before time when Stewart met a Dan West corner with an on-target header which did not trouble the keeper.

Overall there was little to choose between the sides but it was Binfield who claimed the points.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall, Hercules, N Rhodes, A Rhodes, Connelly, West, Stewart, Barr (Lagan), Ricketts.

United are away next to Letcome in a challenge cup game next Saturday (29th). The reserves however play Finchamstead reserves at the ASM Stadium.