Nomads outgunned by Thame in fast-paced battle

THAME United defeated Oxford City Nomads 3-2 in a fast, entertaining game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday, evening, September 17. It was a good result for Thame as Nomads were in second in the league, coming into the game, whilst United occupied ninth place.

Matt Willett was on the right wing, with the dependable Pykett brothers full backs, and Ollie lynch wore the number six shirt, allowing Ben Connolly to wear eight. Ex Thame keeper, Milan Barisic, was in goal for Nomads.

The initial exchanges were 50/50 but the home side were the first to test the keeper with a Taylor Collins shot. Thame went ahead in the 19th minute when Lewis Cordice received a ball from the right and hit a shot which Barisic blocked. But the ball fell to Collins who hit another shot which Barisic also parried but this time Cordice met it and beat the keeper. 

Although possession was even, home keeper Lee Farrow, was not really tested until Nomads first goal which came on 27 minutes. They were awarded a free kick on he left which Mark Janes met with a glancing header, sending the ball into the far corner. United’s second came just before the break when a long kick from Farrow beat the visiting defenders allowing the talented Collins to collect it, run at goal, dribble around Barisic and fire into an empty net.

The early stages of the second half saw some end-to-end football but there were few chances until United scored their third with 20 minutes remaining. Lynton Goss took a free kick on the left which Collins collected at the far post and hit a strong shot from an acute angle, giving Barisic no chance. The final goal of the game came 10 minutes later from a corner which Nomads captain, Mark Gabbidon, headed home at the near post. A few minutes later Cordice had a chance to increase Thame’s lead but with only Barisic to beat, he fired wide. The final minutes saw the visitors pressing for an equaliser but Thame held out to collect all three points.

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

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon