Ref takes a tumble in Thame match

IN an action-packed second half, United scored a 97th minute penalty to take all three points against fifth placed Highworth Town on Saturday (25/10). The final score was Thame United 3, Highworth Town 2, in this UHLSPORT Hellenic League Previer Division.

There was little indication of what was to come in the second half when the highlight of the first half was referee Ed Turner taking a tumble over the halfway-line flag.

It all changed, however, early in the second half when United failed to clear a Highworth corner and the ball was played back in to the box for Callum Parson to score from close range. It was nearly two five minutes later when T.J.Bohane could only side-foot wide from six yards. The visitors were made to rue the miss on 70 minutes. Dan West was fouled 25 yards from goal and Dan Jones stepped-up to curl a delightful free-kick in to the top corner giving Stevens in the Highworth goal no chance.

By now it was end-to-end with both sides going for the three points. United edged in front on 84 minutes when substitute Shannon Jesson was grounded in the penalty area, but managed to swivel and poke the ball beyond Stevens. Highworth pushed forward in search of an equaliser which duly arrived in the 90th minute when, following a cross in to the box, the ball fell to Sam Wadeih, whose headed effort found its way in to the back of the net despite United having a number of players on the line.

With the referee indicating 10 minutes of injury time, the momentum was with the visitors as they went in search of the three points. However, in the 97th minute, a long ball from keeper Cockerill found Dan West, who beat his marker before picking out captain Adam Morris with a square ball in to the box but, just as he was about to strike the ball, he was caught by a Highworth defender. Whilst the referee did not give a decision, after consulting his assistant, a penalty was awarded. West confidently finished and United held out to take three points, and maintain their sixth placed position.

United:

Cockerill, Evans, Hall, Hercules, Muholland, Lynch, Jones, Morris, Davis (Jesson), West, Ricketts

SOURCE: Contributed by Jake Collinge