Fixture Changes - The away game at Milton United scheduled for next Monday evening has been postponed. The reserves now travel to Stonesfield Sports on Saturday 12th December for an Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup game, rather than facing Newbury in the league.

Convincing win at Farnborough Despite being without half a dozen regular first team players, United comfortably beat Farnborough Reserves on Saturday and, in so doing, moved up to second spot in the league.

After a fairly even opening period, United started to get on top with the unconventional pairing up front of Stuart Braun and Gavin Way causing the Farnborough defence problems with their darting runs off the shoulder of the last man. Indeed, Way had the first opportunity to score when put through in the 15^th minute only to see his short smothered by the keeper, whilst 5 minutes later Stuart Barr could again only find the keeper when through on goal. 10 minutes later and Thame took the lead as a well worked move down the left resulted in the ball being cut--back to Ben Connelly who, 12 yards out, calmly side footed the ball beyond the Farnborough keeper.

Whilst Thame had the opportunities to extend their lead, it was Farnborough who equalized a minute before the break when the ball was pulled back from the bye-line and swept home by the Farnborough forward at close range.

United came out for the second half fired up and it only took two minutes to re-gain the lead. Connelly went on a trademark jinking run down the right to the bye-line where the ball was pulled back to Lawrence El-Kassir who confidently finished from 12 yards. It was 3-1 five minutes later when man of the match Stuart Braun headed home from a corner. By this stage it was all Thame as Farnborough were pinned in their own half. The fourth goal arrived in the 67^th minute. Stuart Braun went on a powerful run in to the box only to see his goalbound effort parried by the keeper and, whilst the ball was probably still going to run in to the net, Connelly made sure from close range. The scoring was completed five minutes from time when Thame substitute Paul Searl (normally a goalkeeper) was first to react to a ball in the penalty area and able to stab home from 8 yards.

In truth United could have double their tally of goals, but will be satisfied with the win and progress up the table.

Thame United – Orkney, Newell, Wakelin, N.Rhodes, Cowan, A.Rhodes, El-Kassir, Barr Way (Barnett), Braun (Searl), Connelly).

Thame win Oxfordshire Senior Cup game. Thame United progressed to the second round of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup at Wallingford on Tuesday evening, when they defeated Old Woodstock Town 2-1. The visitors lie 17^th in the premier division of the Hellenic League. The game was close, and although United had more ball possession, the visitors defended well and were able to snuff out most of Thame’s chances.

Thame started brightly, but the visitors soon got into their stride and went ahead in the 15^th minute when a ball from the right found striker Adam Lovegrove in enough space to hit a strong shot pass goalkeeper Lee Orkney from 15-yards. Thame countered and Ben Connelly was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the goal line. The equaliser came just before half time. Ed Barnett took a throw in near the right corner flag which was knocked on to Mark Jones who hit a shot which the keeper seemed to have covered until it was deflected by a defender into the top left corner.

The second half continued in similar vein with Thame winning more possession and putting together some good moves only to see them break down near goal. With about 30 minutes remaining, Thame defender Matt Higgs was carried off on a stretcher due to the re-occurrence of a knee injury. He was replaced by Tom Goffe who normally plays as a striker, but played surprisingly well in the centre of defence.

There was drama a few minutes later when United defender Barnett was harshly judged to have fouled a visiting player in the box, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Lovegrove took the spot kick but Orkney managed to block his shot, Lovegrove followed up and again Orkney blocked, the ball again went to Lovegrove, but this time Orkney held his shot. Remarkable goalkeeping.

The winner came with about 20 minutes remaining and it was a moment of real quality. Following good work on the right, Jones played a ball to Aaron Rogers, in space about 25 yards from goal. The on-form Rogers hit a strong, well-placed shot giving the visiting keeper no chance. The final minutes saw Thame ‘on the back foot’ and Orkney was again on form.

United will be at home in the next round, to either Launton Sports or Ardley.

Thame United: Orkney, Barnett, Meredith (Jones), Cowan, Higgs (Goffe), El-Kassir, Connelly, A Rhodes, Rogers, Braun (West), Barr.