23/02/11…..Draw for Thame against Wootton Bassett

LEAGUE MATCH 22/02/11 At Home: Thame United 2, Wootton Bassett Town 2 – MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

IN an entertaining game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening, visitors Wootton Bassett Town came back from behind twice to force a 2-2 draw. Given that the visitors were four league places below Thame, manager Mark West will view this result as two points lost, rather than a point gained.

United started brightly and had the better of first half possession and territory with Thame Keeper Milan Barisic mainly a spectator. The visiting keeper was on good form however and made some fine saves. Ben Connelly was a constant threat on the right wing before the visitors countered his pacey, tricky runs by allocating two men to mark him. United took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half. The ball came in from the right and Barr, with his back to the goal, tried a spectacular ?Rooney like? scissors kick, which was deflected out for a corner. Barr took the in swinging corner which eluded goalkeeper, defenders and forwards, alike before crossing the goal line. Perhaps a lucky fluke, but no more than Thame deserved.

The visitors came out fired up for the second half and in the 50th minute were awarded a free kick on their left. The ball came in high and Barisic went to collect it but the greasy ball slipped from his hands to fall at the feet of a visiting forward. Barisic then tried to reclaim it but was judged to have fouled the forward and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Sam Collier buried the resultant spot kick, giving Barisic no chance. The home side regained the lead in the 59th minute when Connelly found Stewart on the right of the area. The in-form Stewart coolly turned and hit a well placed, acutely angled, 20-yard shot pass the visiting Keeper. The visitors came back, and Barisic was forced to make an outstanding save, tipping a strong shot over the bar.

Wootton were now determined to equalise and mounted attack after attack with United forced to defend. With a minute to play, just when it looked that Thame would hold out, a long ball from the left found substitute Alex Green in space and he beat Barisic with an 8-yard shot. The scores were level when the final whistle blew; probably a fair reflection on the overall game.

Sadly, central defender Martin Brown and Ben Connelly picked up injuries and are doubtful for next Saturday?s game.

Thame United: Barisic, Newell, N. Rhodes, Saulsbury, Brown (Hunt), Cowan, Connelly (Rantle), Hayes (Jewell), Stewart, Rogers, Barr.