09/04/13….Thame Utd ‘lacklustre’ against Cheltenham

LEAGUE game: 6/04/13 – Thame United 1, Cheltenham Saracens 3- MATCH REPORT: Cheltenham Saracens completed the double on Thame United last Saturday at the ASM Stadium, when they beat their lacklustre hosts 3-1. In a frustrating game, United conceded two early goals and although they had the bulk of possession, particularly in the second half, were unable to penetrate the well organised but physical Cheltenham defence.

Thame were without Alex Stewart, who is likely to be out for the rest of the season with a fractured elbow, whist central defender Nik Rhodes started the game on the bench.

The home team started brightly but went behind against the run of play in the 12th minute when Joe Donaghue knocked a 10-yard shot passed keeper Lee Farrow. The visitors increased their lead three minutes later when Elliot Kennedy hit a speculative shot from the edge of the box which flew over Farrow?s head and under the crossbar. The visitors dominated play for a while, but United came back towards the end of the half and Connor Hayes was unlucky to see his long range effort hit the crossbar. United eventually scored in the 45th minute, when Matt Willet hit a diagonal cross which was brilliantly met by Luke Ricketts with a first time low shot into the far corner.

The visitors were awarded a penalty three minutes into the second half when Mitchell Meredith was judged to have fouled in the penalty area. Jack Oldham buried the spot kick, giving Farrow no chance. The injured Phil Pykett was replaced by midfielder Richard Jewell and Matt Hall moved to left back. The remainder of the game saw united pressurising the visitor?s goal. A Hayes free kick brought a good save from the keeper.

With about 15 minutes remaining, Thame striker Niall Hodgkins was carried from the pitch on a stretcher with a suspected fractured ankle after a particularly brutal tackle. United continued the onslaught, with only the occasional Saracens attack, but failed to further trouble the visiting keeper.

Thame United: Farrow, Willet, Pykett (Jewell), Hercules, Meredith, Hayes, Connelly, Hall, Hodgkins (Dell), Gray (Rhodes), Ricketts.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon