FA Cup dream still alive for Thame

SCORE: Thame United 0, Bitton AFC 0
United secured a hard-earned but well-deserved draw against higher league opponents in the form of Bitton AFC from Bristol to maintain their interest in the FA Cup. With the defence superbly marshalled throughout the game by the centre-back pairing of captain David Hocking and Man of the Match, Matt Graves, the Bitton forward line, which included former QPR striker Michael Meaker, rarely threatened Searl in the Thame goal for the whole 90 minutes.

Thame opened brightly, pinning their opponents in their own half for much of the first 10 minutes. However, with the exception of a dangerous corner from Luke Ricketts, Thame were unable to trouble the Bitton keeper. After the opening period, Bitton came more in to the game and on 15 minutes Hocking was forced to clear the ball off the line following a goalmouth scramble. Two minutes later and United nearly opened the scoring when the ball fell invitingly for Mark Jones on the edge of the box, his volleyed effort falling the wrong side of the right hand post. By now there were chances at both ends, the best opportunity falling to the Bitton winger, Leon Maloney, whose effort from 12 yards on 35 minutes forced Searl to make a good save low to his right.

With the game goalless at half time, both sides came out after the interval looking to break the deadlock. However, both defences remained on top and neither side had many scoring opportunities. The best opportunity for Bitton came on 65 minutes when Meaker, having worked his way to the by-line, cut back inside and looked set to shoot, only for his striking partner Mark Reynolds to take the ball off him and skew his effort wide. Thame were not without their chances and following a foul on substitute Chris Brougham, Luke Ricketts saw his free kick from 25 yards sail just over the bar whilst, in injury time, fellow substitute James Bloomfield was unlucky to see his shot blocked by the keepers legs.

United travel to Bitton for the replay this coming Wednesday (20th August), 7:30pm kick off.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Newell, Graves, Hocking, Cowan, Connelly, Jones, Ansell (Brougham), Miller (Bloomfield), Ricketts.

Photo: Luke Ricketts