United face their toughest game of the season

THAME United have their biggest game of the season on Saturday (13/12) when they welcome Kidlington to the ASM Stadium for an eagerly anticipated, all Oxfordshire-tie in the Third Round of the FA Vase.

The match represents the furthest United have progressed in this national competition for fifteen years, since the 1998/99 season when they managed to reach the semi-final – and one game from Wembley – only to lose out to Northumberland-based Bedlington Terriers.

And if it’s goals you’re looking for, then the competition seems to bring out the best in United, having already beaten Frimely Green (7-2), Bridon Ropes (4-3) and Pagahm (3-0).

But manager Mark West knows that the match against fellow Hellenic League Premier Division side (and league leaders), Kidlington will probably be the toughest game yet. “We have already played Kidlington twice this season in the league,” said Mark, “losing narrowly at their place before they beat us last month when we put in one of our poorest performances of the season. However, few people gave us much chance in the last round on the south coast at Pagham, and we came away with a fantastic 3-0 win, and going in to a game as underdogs probably suits us best.”

A win would put United through to the last 32 of the competition, but they will need to improve on last Saturday’s result, when they were beaten 2-0 by Royal Wootton Bassett Town in a wind-affected game in Wiltshire.

Kick off for the match against Kidlington is 3pm, with tickets cost only £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 for Under 16s.

United:

Farrow, Attwell, Lynn, Hercules, Dugmore, Connor, Connelly, Ashworth, Gray, West, Ricketts, Jesson, Cordice, Pounds, Evans, Faulconbridge