04/09/13 Thame foiled by strong Shrivenham defence

THAME United met their first home loss of the season on Tuesday evening (03/09) when they were defeated 1-2 by Shrivenham. With Thame in fifth League place and the visitors in 15th, a Thame win was anticipated but, although they had more possession, and much of the game was played in the visitor’s half, United were unable to penetrate the well organised Shrivenham defence, even after they went down to 10 men.

Both goalkeepers were in action in the first five minutes, Lee Farrow making a good save direct from a free kick and the visiting keeper stopping a strong Nik Rhodes header. Minutes later, Ellis Hercules met a corner with a goal bound header, which was cleared off the line by a defender. Thame were controlling much of the play, but Shrivenham looked dangerous ‘on the break’. The visitors went ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after Rhodes was judged to have fouled in the area. It was an incident which surprised both the spectators and players, as Nik appeared to make a fair tackle. Even the visiting officials were mystified by the decision. 

Visiting captain, Matty Bown, took the penalty well, giving Farrow no chance. Shrivenham increased their lead a minute before the break when Richard Miles volleyed in a cross from the left. Just before the half time whistle blew Taylor Collins forced a good save from the visiting keeper.

The game became increasingly bad tempered in the second half. Thame’s goal came in the 58th minute when Naill Hodgkins headed home a Collins free kick from close range. Shrivenham went down to 10 men with about 25 minutes remaining when Dave Coleman received a straight red for a bad tackle. United fought hard for an equaliser but they were rarely able to get behind the visitors’ defence and get crosses over. In the final minute Farrow left his goal to join his colleagues for a corner but when the ball fell to him, his shot was high.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett, P Pykett (I Pykett) Hercules, Rhodes, Jewell (Cordice), Connelly, Lynch, Hodgkins, Collins, Goss.

United play at the ASM Stadium again next Saturday, September 7, when they face Carterton in the FA Vase.