Narrow Loss For Young Thame United

Thame United 1, Milton United 2. 7/11/06 MATCH REPORT (Contributed)
THE young Thame team narrowly lost to a more experienced Milton United side on Tuesday evening.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with neither goalkeeper troubled for the first 25 minutes. Milton were then awarded a free-kick about 35 yards from the Thame goal. As the ball was floated into the Thame box, Milton midfielder Matt Styles rose high to head it just under the Thame crossbar from about eight yards. Thame went close a few minutes later when Nick Gibson side footed a low cross from the left towards the corner of the goal but Milton keeper, Gareth walker, reacted well and pulled off a good save.

The visitors increased their lead eight minutes into the second half when a defence-splitting pass found Vince Rusher unmarked about 10 yards from goal. Rusher finished confidently, giving Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl no chance. Thame fought back and pulled a quality goal back in the 65th minute. Nick Gibson picked the ball up midway inside the visitors half and ran at goal but was forced to go left. He played a 1-2 with Joe Da Silva before heading for the by-line and crossing for Adrian Smith to volley home from five yards.

The last 20 minutes saw Thame pressurising the Milton goal, but they defended well and Walker pulled of several good saves. When the final whistle blew, the Milton veterans had done just enough to collect the points.

Thame United: Searl, Smith, Watkins, Graves, Bell, Kitson, Gibson, Connelly, (Cairns) Weaver (Redding), Jack, Da Silva.