02/04/13…..Thame beaten by League leaders Marlow

AFTER a good win on Saturday (30/03) at Slimbridge, Thame United were defeated 2-1 by League leaders, Marlow at the ASM stadium on Easter Monday. The game was played in a strong easterly wind which assisted their opponents in the first half, and Thame after the break.

This was always going to be a tough match for United as, although they drew the away fixture, the visitors have not been defeated since August.

The opening exchanges were fairly even as the teams settled but then Marlow started to gain the upper hand. They looked the more dangerous, and soon home keeper, Lee Farrow, was called upon to make the first of a number of fine saves. It was Thame however who opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Jake Dell ran down the right and, finding his was blocked, passed back to Matt Willet who hit a high diagonal ball into the box. After some header bagatelle the ball fell to the unmarked Luke Ricketts who reacted quickly and hit a glorious 15 yard-shot high into the roof of the net.

Marlow equalised 2 minutes later. Farrow came to meet a high ball but could only punch it towards Richard Witt who met the ball with a 10-yard header, which was then deflected pass Phil Pykett on the line by the head of Michael Bartley. Despite Thame manager Mark West?s protests that the Bartley was off-side, a goal was awarded. The home side were forced to defend for the remainder of the half.

Assisted by the wind, United had more possession after the break but their chances were few. The visitors’ second goal came on 63 minutes when Ian Davies met a low ball from the left by-line and placed it beyond Farrow?s reach from five yards. Thame was determined to regain parity and Matt Hall forced a good save from an excellent free kick. A Rickets corner was deflected onto the far post by the visiting keeper who then gratefully collected the rebound. United?s best chance came with a few minutes remaining when Hall made an impressive run at goal but, unable to get a shot away, he passed to substitute James Way whose strong shot hit the side netting. In the final minute Farrow came up to join the attack for a free kick but the ball was headed over.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett (Meredith), Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Hayes, Dell (Way), Hall, Stewart (Hodgkins), Johnson, Ricketts.

United are at home to Cheltenham Saracens next Saturday 6th April (KO 3.00).

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon