Thame United dominate opposition (Contributed)

MATCH REPORT – Saturday, April 18 – Rayners Lane 0, Thame United 1.

UNITED eased to victory against Rayners Lane on Saturday in a game where the score line does little to emphasise their dominance.

The opening exchanges were fairly even and it was not until the 20th minute that the first goal scoring opportunity arrived. A Stuart Barr free kick from wide on the right was met by the head of Luke Ricketts, who saw his effort well saved by the keeper. Three minutes later and United should have taken the lead. A well worked corner was played out to Adam Rhodes, who side stepped one defender before delivering an inch perfect cross on to the head of Mark Jones, whose effort flew the wrong side of the post.

Five minutes before the break, United had their best chance of the half. Jones found Tom Hoskin with a through ball and, in a one-on-one with the keeper, Hoskin sought to round the keeper, only for the keepers outstretched leg to get to the ball and force him wide, by which time the opportunity was lost. Rayners Lane then had their best opportunity, when their quick right back ran through a static Thame defence and, with Searl narrowing the angle, the shot went just wide of the far post.

United did not have to wait long after half time to break the deadlock. On 48 minutes, Jones crossed from the right for Hoskin, whose effort from eight yards beat the keeper but came back off the post. Thankfully for Thame, Rhodes was the quickest to react and he placed the ball into an empty net from close range. United had two good opportunities to wrap-up the points shortly afterwards. First, Rhodes met a Jones cross with a powerful half volley that the keeper pushed over the bar, and a minute later Ricketts went on a jinking run, and having worked space for himself, shot against the bar. 10 minutes later a Barr free kick was flicked on for Rhodes who shot just wide and Barr himself nearly scored with a near post shot five minutes later. By this time, with United on top, Rayners Lane resorted to foul tactics and to the surprise of most present, two ugly incidents did not result in a home player receiving his marching orders. In the end, Thame held on comfortably for a win, and could have extended their lead a couple of minutes from the end when Rhodes met a Meredith cross with a powerful header that was well saved by the keeper.

United travel to Penn on Tuesday (6:30pm) before completing their season the following Saturday with a trip to Kintbury Rangers (3:00pm kick off).

Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Cowan, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Connelly (Rickeets), Barr, Jones, Hoskin (Rogers).

Photo: Goal scorer, Adam Rhodes