Own Goal Gives Hemel Draw Against Thame (By Bob Dixon)

THIS was Thame?s first game following the departure of player/manager Tony Joyce. It was also a performance, which the Thame players, and caretaker manager Richard Searl can be proud of.
This young team have conceded four goals on no less than eight occasions this season, but this is the first time they have also scored four! It has to be said however that many of the Hemel Hempstead players may have had had a disturbed night as a result of the oil depot explosion.

It was a fast moving and entertaining game in which Thame were never behind. The first goal came after six minutes when central defender Robbie Eason met a
corner with a downward far post header. There were good chances at both ends before Thame increased their lead in the 32nd minute. Darren Bonfield, the Hemel goalkeeper, sliced a kick to Thame?s Craig Caldwell-Smith who quickly passed to Darren Moore. Moore bore down on goal before beating Bonfield with a strong, well placed 10-yard shot. Two minutes before half time Abdul Yoki pulled a goal back for Hemel when he met a cross with a good shot from six yards.

Hemel dominated the first few minutes of the second half and drew level after 60 minutes with a glorious 30-yard shot from Chris Marsh. Thame regained the lead however five minutes later when, following a corner, Caldwell smith knocked the ball back in from the right and Gavin Lane headed home from close range. Ten minutes later it was 4-2 when Moore headed a corner on to Eason who beat the keeper with a low 5-yard shot. On 74 minutes Hemel scored again when Anthony Thomas met a cross from the left with a good volley from 8 yards. The last 15 minutes saw frantic action at both ends. With four minutes remaining Hemel?s Steve Sinclair?s shot was going wide when it hit Eason and was deflected into the Thame goal.

Thame United: Searl, Lane (capt), N. Rhodes, Hocking, Eason, A. Rhodes, Fisher, Connelly, Caldwell Smith, Moore, Boland.