19/01/11….Thame UTD v Oxford UTD – match report

FRIENDLY – 18/01/11 – Thame United 1, Oxford United 3; MATCH REPORT – Oxford United fielded a strong side on Tuesday evening (18/01/11) for the official launch of Thame?s ASM Stadium. With Oxford United playing their football five leagues above Thame?s amateurs there was only going to be one winner, and so it proved with Oxford winning 1-3. The home side were however ?up for it? and despite being outclassed, delivered a good performance. This made for an entertaining game and, despite the cold, the game was enjoyed by a club record of 1382 spectators.

The opening exchanges saw even ball possession but it was the visitors who were creating the chances, and Thame keeper Milan Barisic was soon in action. They took the lead after 17 minutes when the ball was played to Matt Green who fired low pass the on-form Barisic. A few minutes later Barisic made a fine save from Sam Deering, tipping the ball over. It was not all one way traffic and Luke Ricketts, in particular, caused trouble for Oxford with his pacey runs on the left.

Thame equalised after 34 minutes with a spectacular individual goal. Alex Stuart caught Oxford captain Jimmy Sangare in possession, calmly took the ball from him, turned and hit a 30-yard thunderbolt beating Oxford keeper Simon Eastwood. Minutes later Thame?s Aaron Rogers hit a 15-yard shot, but Eastwood made a comfortable save.

Thame made five substitutions at half time with manager Mark West keen to bring on fresh legs and to give his remaining squad members a crack at Oxford. Ex Wycombe Wanderers star, Keith Ryan, was one of those brought on as a guest player. Searl replaced Barisic in goal and was immediately in action bringing off an excellent save from Josh Payne.

United went ahead ten minutes after the break when Searl came out to meet a threat on Oxford?s right but ball was crossed, and Deering hit the ball into the undefended net. Thame came back and an Alex Stuart header from a corner brought a good save from Eastwood, the ball falling to Ben Connelly whose shot into a crowded penalty area was blocked.

Oxford?s final goal came with 15 minutes to play when a ball from the right found Connor McDonagh who headed in off the post. Shortly afterwards Searl limped off injured and was replaced by Stuart. Oxford brought on some young substitutes and West came on for Thame.

The crown applauded enthusiastically when the final whistle blew having seen an entertaining game, played in a good spirit. Overall, the match was an excellent way to mark Thame?s return to the town after a 5 year absence.

Thame United: Barisic (Searl), Barr (Mitchell), Newell (Way) N. Rhodes, Brown (Ryan), Cowan, Connelly, Hayes (Braun) (West) Stuart (Jones) Rogers, Ricketts.