Thame goalless as Ascot turns up the heat

Thame United logo

THAME United’s winning run came to an end at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (19/10),  when they were defeated three-nil, by their bogey team, Ascot United. It must be said however that the score flattered the visitors. Thame worked hard, and had their fair share of possession but, after three games of clinical finishing, Saturday frustratingly saw the return of ‘near misses’.

 The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and Thame keeper, Lee Farrow, was called into action after a few minutes play, making a good save. Ascot’s first goal came after 30 minutes when Ian Pykett pulled back an opponent in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Leon Yarney took the spot kick well, giving Farrow no chance. Although Niall Hodgkins, Lynton Goss, Ellis Hercules and Ben Connelly all had half chances, it was one-nil to Ascot at the break.

Ascot’s second goal came five minutes after the restart when some slick passing allowed Matt Jones to fire home from 12-yards. Thame countered and forced a series of corners, and Taylor Collins was unlucky to see his goal-bound shot blocked. Luke Ricketts and Lewis Cordice came on for Thame and both looked sharp. Farrow made an outstanding save from an unexpected 30-yard shot, and all was not lost until, with about 15 minutes to play, Rob Saunders hit a 35-yard free kick past a surprised Farrow to finish the scoring. Goss had two further chances but both were off–target.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, P Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Lynch, Connelly, Johnston (Ricketts), Hodgkins (Davis), Collins (Cordice), Goss.

Thame’s first team are without a game next Saturday (26th) but coincidentally the reserve team are at home to Ascot United Dev. The next first team home game is on Tuesday, October 29, when Kidlington are the visitors.

Match report contributed by Bob Dixon