Floodlit Thame United fail to get the upper hand

MATCH REPORT – HPL Hellenic League Floodlit – Cup game, 22/10/08 – Ardley United 2, Thame United 1

The last time Thame visited Hellenic premier outfit Ardley United they conceded six goals. That season Thame were relegated, but although Thame now play in a lower league, there was little to choose between the two teams on during Wednesday evening?s Floodlit Cup match.

The game started evenly with both teams creating good scoring chances. As the half progressed, however Ardley gained the upper hand and Thame?s goalkeeper Paul Searl was forced into action. Fortunately for Thame, he was in good form and the first half ended goalless, but with the home side slightly ?ahead on points?.

Thame came back strongly in the second half and deservedly went ahead 15 minutes after the restart. Winger, Ben Connelly played a quality ?defence splitting? ball from just inside the Ardley half into the path of recently brought on substitute, Tom Hoskins. The speedy Hoskins calmly beat the advancing goalkeeper and knocked the ball into the empty net with his first touch of the match. Thame continued to press and there was some entertaining end-to-end football, with Searl making some excellent saves before in the 77th minute, the home side equalised. Sammy Ibrahim found himself in space and hit a strong, well-placed 20-yard shot that gave the Thame keeper no chance. With 2 minutes to play, just when it looked like extra time, Ardley were awarded a free kick on the right, about 30 yards from goal. It was well taken and beat the Thame defence before midfielder Danny Mason headed in at the far post. In the final minutes, Thame laid siege to the home goal but it is Ardley who will progress to the next round.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, El-Kassir (Smail), N Rhodes, Graves, Cowan, Connelly, a. Rhodes, Williams (Hoskins), Barr, Wallace.

Thame are at home (Wallingford) for the next three Saturdays. They face Holyport on 25th October, Newbury on 1st November, and South Kilburn on November 8th.