Binfield 2, Thame United 2

15/12/07 League

Thame United returned to action after a three week break and showed that they had lost none of their fitness and drive, hauling themselves back from 2-0 down after 80 minutes to gain a creditable draw against a strong Binfield side.

The opening exchanges were all one-way as Thame played some neat passing football and forced a succession of corners. Unfortunately, however, they were unable to convert the possession in to goals and fell a goal down in the thirteenth minute. An innocuous looking ball into the box bounced up in front of right back Sam Cowan, catching his arm as he looked to clear the ball from danger. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, with Callum Whitty beating Paul Searl to his right, despite Searl getting a hand to the ball.

Despite the set back, Thame continued to push forward with first team debutant Nick Skiller looking dangerous up front and Luke Ricketts causing the home defence problems down the Thame left. However, the best chance of the half fell to top scorer Nathan Jack who, in a run from his own half, left the home defence standing only to see his shot sail narrowly over the bar.

The opening exchanges of the second half were a more even affair with much of the play contained in the middle third of the pitch. Nevertheless, it was Binfield who extended their lead with nineteen minutes to play with a somewhat fortunate goal from James Partridge. Partridge, standing in an off-side position when the initial cross field ball was played in to the Thame area, received the ball from a deflection off a Thame defender and placed the ball beyond Searl.

This forced manager Mark West in to a double substitution with another debutant, Richard Jewell replacing Graeme Catlin and West himself replacing Skiller. 10 minutes later Thame pulled a goal back when, following a shot that came back off the post, Jack crossed for West only for his header to be parried by the Binfield goalkeeper in to the path of the on-rushing Adam Rhodes who slammed the ball in to the roof of the net. With a minute of normal time to go, Thame were level, when skipper Dave Hocking turned and volleyed the ball beyond the keeper from 12 yards. With the Thame supporters jubilant, there was still time for Jack to send a cross along the six yard line with Luke Ricketts inches away from connecting with the goal gaping. In the end, however, Thame had to settle for a draw.

Thame United: Searl, Cowan, Watkins (Ansell), Thompson, Hocking, Catlin (R.Jewell), Rhodes, Connelly, Skiller (West), Jack, Ricketts.