04/10/10….Some fine goalkeeping frustrates United opposition

AWAY MATCH – October 3, 2010 -HIGHWORTH TOWN 1, Thame United 1. MATCH REPORT from Jake Collinge.

BOTH sides left Highworth?s Elms Recreation Ground this weekend, content with a draw after a match that ebbed and flowed from start to finish.

With top scorer Alex Stewart unavailable, Alex MacDonald came in for his first league start, and Thame were immediately on the front foot as they pinned their opponents in their own half for much of the opening 15 minutes. United nearly took the lead after seven minutes when a flighted cross from Aaron Rogers was met by a thunderous left foot volley from Luke Ricketts that flew just wide of the upright. Five minutes later Thame thought they had taken the lead when skipper Nik Rhodes headed in from a Ricketts corner, only for the referee to blow for an infringement.

Highworth then started to win the midfield battle and place Thame under pressure, taking the lead after 25 minutes. A Martin Brown header was collected on the left and, following a 25 yard shot that keeper Milan Barisic parried, Robertson was on hand to slot the ball home.

Manager Mark West reverted to three at the back at the start of the second half, pushing full back Steve Newell in the midfield and for the first twenty minutes Thame were camped in their opponents half as the midfield battle was won. It was only five minutes in to the half when parity was restored. A Rogers corner was flicked on by MacDonald and Rhodes was on hand at the far post to head the ball home. United then pushed forward for a second but, as with the first half, Highworth came back in to the game following a double substitution and themselves began to create opportunities as they got behind the Thame defence. However, they were met by an on form Barisic who, despite an apparent injury, pulled off a series of fine saves from close range that denied the home side, much to their frustration.

In the end, the match ended all square as United maintained their good away record.

Thame United: Barisic, N.Rhodes, Newell, Saulsbury, Brown (Meredith), Braun, A Rhodes, Barr, MacDonald (Rantle), Rogers, Ricketts.

United have another cup game this coming Saturday (9th October) as they face Flackwell Heath (away) in the League Challenge Cup.