Scrappy Game For Thame United

AFC Wallingford 1, Thame United 0. League Match 09/04/07.
THIS was a scrappy game that Thame could and should have won. They had more possession than Wallingford, hit the crossbar twice, and had a goal disallowed. The result, coupled with Wednesday?s news that Hounslow Borough have resigned from the league and that Thame?s 6 points gained against them have been deducted, now make relegation a real possibility.

Thame started well and created some good chances but their finishing was off target. Nathan Jack, Thame?s normally deadly striker, had an off-target game with most of his shots hitting the conifers behind the goal, rather then the back of the net. There was a moment of drama just before half time when the Wallingford keeper picked up a back pass inside his penalty area and Thame were awarded an indirect free kick. The ball found Jack but his strong shot was cleared off the line. Wallingford created two good chances but luckily for Thame they had the same finishing problem and the game was goalless at half time.

The second half was more entertaining and on 70 minutes after a good move involving manager Mark West, Jack fired home from close range but the ?goal? was disallowed for a fowl on a defender. Two minutes later the tenacious Darren Moore beat his marker on the left and laid on a square pass to Jack but his 10 yard shot hit the crossbar. The only goal came in the 75th minute. Wallingford played a long ball forward which looked to be going out but was pulled back to Andy Styles who hit a fine, acute angled, volley from 8 yards which hit the underside of the Thame crossbar before crossing the line. The visitors pressed for an equalizer and, following a corner, hit the Wallingford crossbar again. The final minutes saw Thame pressurizing the home goal but Wallingford held out to claim the points.

Thame United: Barisic, Ansell, Steadman Hocking, Graves, Matt Higgs, Rhodes, Smith, Jack, West (Green), Moore.

Thame United entertain Hungerford Town at Hithercroft Stadium on Wednesday 11th. They are away to Wantage next Saturday, 14th April.

Thame United Reserves recorded two wins over Easter beating Eton Wick 4-0 on Saturday and winning 0-6 at Kintbury Rangers on Easter Monday.