Local derby sees Thame through in FA Vase first round

AN injury time strike from Luke Ricketts finally broke the stubborn resistance of neighbours Chinnor as United progressed to the next round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

Luke Ricketts

In front of one of the largest crowds of the day in the FA Vase (283), United were perhaps expecting Chinnor to adopt a physical approach to the match – an approach that had been employed on numerous occasions in the recent past. Instead, they were met with a side playing neat passing football, with former United player Stuart Braun, in particular, linking the play for the visitors. As it was, Chinnor had the bulk of the play in the opening thirty minutes, albeit chances in front of goal were limited for both sides.

The first real chance came to United after a quarter of an hour when Stacey Field did well to create space and put a cross over that Ben Gray headed wide. A better chance came to Chinnor a couple of minutes later when a corner from the left was floated to the far post, with Craig Faulconbridge heading just wide. A Dan Jones half volley for United was just wide moments later, before the visitors broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, Faulconbridge calmly slotting home in to the bottom corner after an offence in the penalty area.

At this stage United were struggling to find any real rhythm or to generate any pace in the game – features that had been evident in the recent run of form. However, they levelled the game five minutes before the break when a long throw from Matt Hall was flicked on by Ellis Hercules and beyond keeper Ben Taunton, in to the far corner of the goal. The goal was, perhaps, significant not only for getting United level, but in its timing just before half time and marking a change in the momentum of the game.

United started the second half brightly and in the opening minutes Ben Gray struck an effort just wide before captain Adam Morris shaved the outside of the post from 20 yards. As the half progressed, United had the majority of the possession with Chinnor content to play on the break, but despite the possession, United were unable to take advantage. A Hercules header was cleared off the line, before Dan Jones had two good chances with Taunton saving one and the other going wide.

However, just as it looked like the game was going in to Extra Time, a perfect through- ball from Ollie Lynch was controlled in one touch by Luke Ricketts on the edge of the box, before then placing the ball wide of the advancing Taunton with his second touch. Cue scenes of jubilation on and off the field and, with barely a minute left on the clock, United held on to progress to the next round. Phew!

Final score: Thame 2, Chinnor 1
United: Cockerill, Evans, Hall, Hercules, Mulholland, Lynch, Jones, Morris, Gray (Jesson), Field, Ricketts

SOURCE: Contributed