01/04/11…..Another draw for Thame United (Contributed)

LEAGUE MATCH – 31/03/11 – Thame United 1, Highworth Town 1- MATCH REPORT

IN a repeat of the score line when these teams last met in October, Thame United drew 1-1 with Wiltshire based Highworth Town on Thursday evening at the ASM Stadium. It was a fast flowing, entertaining game which neither team deserved to lose.

The first half was saw chances at both ends with Thame?s James Faulkner placing a shot just wide after a few minutes and home keeper Milan Barisic producing two good saves as the half progressed. The stalemate was broken 2 minutes before the break. Mitchell Meredith?s throw in on the right was played to Alex Stewart who intelligently knocked the ball into the path of Faulkner, giving him the time to pick his spot and finish confidently from 15-yards.

The second half was just as lively but went through a bad tempered phase resulting in one Highworth, and two Thame bookings. As full time approached the visitors intensified their pressure on the Thame goal but Barisic was in good form, and made some first class saves. With 2 minutes to play however visiting substitute Richie Saunders tried a speculative, but well-placed shot from 30-yards. Barisic must have been unsighted as he seemed to dive late and the ball beat him to finish low into the left corner.

The game ended on a sour note. Immediately after the final whistle Faulkner was shown a straight red card. It seems he told the referee that he had had a poor game; but perhaps not quite in those words.

Thame United: Barisic, Meredith, P Pykett, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Hayes, Connelly (Barr), Rogers (Braun), Stewart, Faulkner, Ricketts.