Thame fails to beat off ‘the Heathens’

THAME United were unable to bring an end to Flackwell Heath’s 100% record on Tuesday evening (19/08) as The Heathens ran out 3-1 winners to go top of the table.

The pattern of the match was similar to the opening game of the season against Highmoor Ibis, with United unable to make early chances pay, only to then find themselves chasing the game. As early as the first minute Conor McDonagh was put through on goal but was unable to get his shot away before and five minutes later the same player saw a 25-year shot tipped over the bar by Rob Bullivant. The next chance fell to Danny Jones on 15 minutes whose drive from the edge of the box was well saved by Bullivant.

The game changed in a five minute spell around the half hour when Flackwell went in to a two goal league. First, Mitchell Woodward finished from close range following a cross from the right and four minutes later Jeff Brown found himself unmarked on the edge of the six yard box and beat Cockerill with ease with a well placed header in to the corner of the goal.

If it was for United to chase the game in the second half, it was Flackwell Heath who started the brighter, with Cockerill getting down well to save low to his right on 47 minutes. Ten minutes later and former Holyport winger, Dan Rapley, curled the ball just over the bar.

United got back in to the game on 63 minutes when Luke Ricketts drove the ball in to the back of the net, via a deflection, from wide on the left. However, Flackwell Heath restored their two-goal advantage only two minutes later when Rapley got clear of his marker to chip the ball over the diving Cockerill. The next opportunity fell to captain Adam Morris whose effort from the edge of the box flew just wide.

Flackwell Heath then had the opportunity to open-up a three goal advantage when Adam Burows was adjudged to have fouled Woodward in the penalty area, but Cockerill, diving to his right, did well to save the spot-kick.

The result leaves United with 3 points from their opening three league games

United: Cockerill, Willett, (Hall), P Pykett, Hercules, Burrows, Lynch (Gledhill), Jones, Morris, McDonagh, West, Ricketts