Thame United ‘Stung’ By League Leaders

SATURDAY, October 10: LEAGUE MATCH REPORT – Chalfont Wasps 1, Thame United 0.
LAST Saturday?s match was always going to be a difficult fixture for Thame. The ?Stingers? are top of the league, and are undefeated this season. Thame, were in sixth place when the game kicked off and, as a result of this defeat, have now dropped to ninth.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but Thame could have gone ahead after 10 minutes. Nathan Jack beat his marker and hit a low cross from the left across the Chalfont goal mouth which was met at the far post by Ben Connelly, but the Chalfont keeper did well to push his volley wide.

Thame seemed to be getting the upper hand when a defensive lapse allowed Chalfont to score. A through ball eluded the Thame defence and found Chalfont midfielder, Jonny Mason, in space with only Thame keeper, Paul Searl to beat. Mason did well to dribble around the advancing Searl and tap the ball into the Thame net. The visitors countered and created some good chances, with Jack, Nigel Swafford, and Greg Boult all going close. The teams went on for half time with Thame unlucky to be a goal down.

Second half possession was fairly even but it was Chalfont who created the better chances and Thame rarely troubled the home keeper. On the other hand Searl was fairly busy. There was one frantic five second period when he made three outstanding saves as shots rained in from close range before the ball was eventually cleared off the goal line. Manager, Mark West, brought substitutes on and changed his formation to three strikers, but the home side defended well and did just enough to justify the points.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Ansell (Graves), Higgs (Catlin), Hocking, Boult, Connelly, Rhodes, Swafford, Jack, Ricketts (Marshall).

Next Saturday 17th, Thame entertain 2nd placed Kintbury Rovers at Hithercroft Stadium (Wallingford).