Thame’s Vase run ends after Westfield battering

THAME United said ‘goodbye’ to their hopes of a run in the FA Vase on Saturday, (21/09) when they were defeated 3-0 at, Woking based, Westfield. Their hosts play at the same level as Thame, in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League where they currently occupy seventh place. 

A close game was anticipated but, although the score flattered Westfield, Thame struggled to break through a strong home defence, particularly in the first half.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but neither keeper was tested until the 20th minute when a ball from a Thame head fell to Shane Cheeseman who reacted quickly and knocked a well placed shot pass Thame keeper Lee Farrow from 15 yards. Just before the break a half chance fell to Taylor Collins but the home keeper saved well from close range. Ellis Hercules then headed the resulting corner wide.

Thame came out fired up for the second half and within two minutes, Ian Pykett made a good run before hitting a strong 20-yard shot which the keeper parried towards Louis Cordice. But the on-form keeper reacted quickly and turned his hurried shot over the bar. The home side increased their lead a few minutes later when Max Blackmore took the ball from Nik Rhodes and fired home from 15-yards.

Thame mounted attack after attack, but there was no way through the packed home defence. Both sides brought on subs to replace tired legs, with Niall Hodgkins, Luke Ricketts, and Jordan Davis coming on for United. The final goal came in the 90th minute when a quick break saw sub Adam Beale hit an unstoppable 25 yard shot.

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

Thame are away to Wantage Town next Tuesday (24th) (not at home to Clanfield as published in the Thame Gazette). They then travel to Milton United on Saturday, September 28, before entertaining Clanfield on Tuesday, October 1.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon
PHOTO: Courtesy of Westfield FC