Hockey: Nine-man Thame seconds fight bravely in defeat

THAME travelled to Bracknell this weekend with their lowest attendance of the season, managing to field just nine players against a Bracknell squad of 14!

Despite their numerical disadvantage, playing a tight 2-3-2-1 formation paid dividends for the travelling rabble, and Thame could easily have taken the lead when a vicious strike from Cameron Skea forced a fine save from the Bracknell Terriers’ keeper. As the match wore on however, Bracknell’s numerical advantage began to tell and the away side were forced to defend a sucession of short corners.

Mid way into the half, one such short corner yielded the first goal of the game, with a deflection leaving John Gott helpless as the ball ballooned into the net. Thame kept their heads up and kept pressing all over the pitch, but the deficit was doubled when some soft play on the edge of the ‘D’ allowed a Bracknell player to dribble towards the goaline before finding a team mate to slot home.

Thame went into the half time break having produced some encouraging hockey considering their numbers and were ready to work hard in the second half to push for a goal and put some pressure on the home team. Thame started the half as the brighter side with Isaac Laws and Alex Chuch both working tirelessly to create chances high up the pitch. The half continued in a similar fashion with Thame winning short corners and enjoying sustained periods in the final third. The best chance of the day fell to Isaac Laws who somehow managed to miss from a goal line rebound as the ball drifted painfully wide. The miss was not enough to deny Isaac a well deserved Man of the Match performance as he showed skill, speed and composure in possession throughout.

David Mordant also selflessly nominated himself for D.O.D. honours despite protestations that his stick and advice by his goalkeeper were to blame for him passing the ball straight to an opposition striker late in the game to allow a 3-0 result to Bracknell.

Thame go into next week needing a full squad and a better showing in their next outing, against Maidenhead.

Man of the Match: Isaac Laws
D.O.D: David Mordant
League position: 10th
Next match: H vs Maidenhead Monarchs