‘Harsh’ scoreline for Thame UFC (Contributed)

Binfield 3, Thame United 0 – MATCH REPORT
Whilst a Binfield victory was probably a fair reflection of the play across 90 minutes, the 3-0 scoreline was harsh on Thame and was as much a reflection of the physical tactics of the opposition and the inability of the officials to stamp down on the activity early in the game, as it was Thame?s inability to make the most of their chances.

Binfield went in to the game unbeaten in the league, but it was Thame who started the stronger with Ben Connelly continuing his fine form from the previous week. Midfielder Sam Cowan was off-target after 10 minutes and five minutes later Will Wallace had a clear run on goal only to see his effort well saved by the home keeper. Binfield opened the scoring two minutes later as they broke from a Thame corner with a ball over the top that caused confusion between Steve Newell, Matt Graves and Ryan Bell, leaving Gary Sargent to tap the ball in to the unguarded net.

With Connelly clearly posing a threat down the right, Binfield employed physical tactics to bring an end to his jinking runs and it was only after several fouls that the Binfield left back was cautioned for his conduct. Nevertheless, with Thame only one down they remained in the game and Matt Miller saw his effort well saved by the home keeper 10 minutes before the break. Just as it looked as though Thame would go in to the break only a goal down, Binfield extended their lead when Scott Williams turned well on the edge of the box and drilled the ball in to the bottom left hand corner.

For all their endeavour in the second half Thame were unable to generate any clear cut chances, whilst Binfield were happy to soak up the pressure and hit Thame on the break. This was effective when, after 81 minutes, a cross from the left was met by the head of Callum Whitty who beat Ryan Bell in the Thame goal from six yards. Although this marked the end of the goal action there was still time for Sam Cowan to be sent off for retaliation with yet more fouls from Binfield going unpunished.

Thame will have learnt a lot from this defeat, not least how to stick to their footballing principles when they next come up against a side intent on using ?bullying? tactics rather than football to win a game.

Thame travel to Premier Division Ardley United on Wednesday evening for a League Cup tie, before returning to league action on Saturday (25th October) with a home game (AFC Wallingford) against Holyport, 3:00pm kick off.

Thame United: Bell, Newell, Thompson, Graves, N.Rhodes, Cowan, A.Rhodes, Connelly, El-Kassir (Hoskin), Miller (Smail), Wallace (Green)

Thame United Man of the Match: Adam Rhodes