Thame Utd lose knock-out encounter with Ardley

THIS fixture offered both sides a great opportunity for silverware this season and it was Thame United, eight times winners of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup, who hosted Ardley United FC in this knockout encounter on Tuesday (05/02/19).

The game started slowly with Thame attempting to keep the ball all over the pitch and Ardley easing into the game. It didn’t take long until West was adjudged to be fouled in the box and Thame were awarded an early penalty.

Ben Sturgess stepped up confidently and placed the ball to the GK right side. Thame had a half chance shortly afterwards to double their lead when a cross by Peake-Pijnen was headed by West but no one was able to put it into the net. Ardley began to fight back and Hill was forced into a reaction save following some great one touch passing inside the box by Ardley. They showed further threatening attacks down the right side attempting to hit early crosses into the box. Thame did respond when Lynn made numerous runs down the left and eventually was able to hit a powerful cross into the box which was headed wide by West.

In the 26th minute of this, the first half, a lapse in concentration led to an easy through ball, played behind Gledhill, being shot past Hill by Ardley’s Bryan. Ardley continued their dominance and Essex had to resort to a diving header from a long cross field ball to avoid a one-on-one with Hill. Ardley took the lead on 32 minutes when a deflected shot from inside the box from Gillett left a fully stretched Hill with no chance to save the shot. Ardley’s tactic of playing the ball behind the defence was evident and they continued playing this way through the first half which saw Smith make multiple runs and dribbles.

HT Score – THAME 1 – 2 ARDLEY

Thame did respond in the second half and nearly equalised shortly after kick off, following a ball over the top by Sturgess which was intercepted by Lawrence before an incoming Tack could get to the ball. Goss had been substituted at half time which led to Tack moving to a more attacking position. One excellent creative attack was when Thame’s Martin chipped a pass over the back line and West’s shot hit a defender and went out for a corner. There was a claim for a penalty by Ardley when Smith went down in the box but he was booked for diving by the referee.

At this point Thame’s defence began to appear more robust with players dealing with balls in the air comfortably and Ardley being limited to shots from outside the box. Half way through the second half, Thame’s Peake-Pijnen produced a drilled cross towards goal which was anticipated and dealt with by Lawrence. A Thame mistake at the back when a header towards Hill was short meant a gambling Bryan was able to get to the ball before Hill and head it over him to make it 3-1.

Thame finally pulled a goal back on 68 minutes when the ball was bouncing around the box. But a determined West got to the ball two yards out to make it 2-3. Thame continued to be awarded corners and free kicks in the last 15 minutes but were unable to find an equaliser. Ardley continued to slow the game down and defend in numbers and happy to attack on the counter and managed to hold out for a huge victory.

FT Score – THAME 2 – 3 ARDLEY

Ardley will be relishing the semi final cup draw in the hope of drawing one of Oxfordshire’s big clubs. Ardley defended with heart and determination in the second half and their forwards were threatening on the counter attack, proving they have quality finishing within the side. Thame on the other hand face a tough trip away to Kempston in the league on Saturday, February 9, and aim to stop the current run of three successive defeats.

*** STARTING LINE-UPS ***
Thame United FC – Hill (GK), Tack, Lynn, Essex, Gledhill, Tutton, Martin, Sturgess (Capt), Goss, West and Peake-Pijnen
Subs used – Ashworth and Murray

Ardley United FC – Lawrence (GK), Griffiths, Moore (Capt), Giles, West, Jenkins, Gillett, McKiernan, Smith, Bryan and Harris
Subs used – Woodall and Yusuf

*** MAN OF THE MATCH sponsored by Figaro’s Barber in Thame ***
The Thame United Man of the Match selected by Figaro’s Barber was #11 Matt Peake-Pijnen.

*** KEY STATS ***
Shots on target – Thame 6 – 7 Ardley
Corners – Thame 6 – 2 Ardley
Yellow Cards – Thame 0 – 3 Ardley
Red Cards – Thame 0 – 0 Ardley
Penalties – Thame 1 – 0 Ardley

*** NEXT GAME ***
AWAY @ Hillgrounds Leisure, MK42 8SZ
Saturday 9/2/2019
Kick Off 15:00 – Kempston Rovers v Thame United
EVO-STIK Southern Division One Central

SOURCE – Contributed by Carl Catling