05/12/11…Thame United continue unbeaten run

THAME United extended their undefeated run to 6 league games at the ASM stadium on Saturday when they defeated Witney Town 3-1. As a result they climb 2 league places and now occupy 9th position. It was a game in which United looked lackluster in the first half but were unbeatable after the break.

Although United had the better of the opening exchanges it was not long before they were ?on the back foot?. Witney went ahead in the 26th minute when Ashley Overton met a free kick from the right that eluded Thame defenders, with a strong 10-yard shot which Thame keeper Milan Barisic got a hand to, but could not prevent from crossing the line. Thame came back towards the end of the half and Connor Hayes met a Luke Ricketts cross with a diving header which hit the goalpost. Dan West got on the end of another Ricketts cross a few minutes later, but his glancing header was wide. Just before half time West found the net, but his effort was ruled offside.

United came out ?fired up? after the break, and equalised within six minutes when Alex Stewart headed in a long James Keeble cross. It was one-way traffic for a while and the visiting Keeper, who had a good game, was kept busy. United?s second goal came in the 67th minute from a 30-yard Dan West free kick. It looked as if Ricketts may have got his head to the ball, deflecting it pass the keeper, but a post- match inquiry saw West awarded the goal. United?s third goal came a few minutes later when, following good work from Ricketts, the ball was played to Aaron Rogers from the left by-line. Rogers, who had his back to goal, quickly turned and hit a quality, unstoppable shot from 15-yards. Just before the final whistle, Ricketts struck a 30-yard screamer, forcing an excellent save from the Witney keeper.

Luke Ricketts was rightly chosen as Thame?s man of the match by a group from Thame Boys which was fitting, as Ricketts is a former Thame Boys player.

Thame United: Barisic, Cowan, Hall, Meredith, Steedman (N Rhodes), Hayes, Keeble (Barr), D West, Stewart, Rogers, Ricketts.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon – Photo: Luke Ricketts