Thame United 0, Penn & Tylers Green 1

26/3/08 League

Tuesday evening’s game against Penn & Tylers green was a game that Thame did not deserve to loose. Normally ball possession counts and Thame had far more possession than their opponents. Time after time however, attacks broke down or were snuffed out as they got in or near the penalty area, and on the occasions where goal-scoring opportunities were created, they were not taken.

The game saw the welcome return of Stuart Barr, who was in the starting line-up, and Matt Graves who came on as a substitute.

The only goal of the match came after 3 minutes with Penn’s first attack. The Thame defence failed to deal with a cross from the right and the ball fell to visiting winger Ben Sturgess who had the space to neatly lob the ball over Theme goalkeeper, Paul Searl from 20 yards. The home side countered and for the remainder of the first half Thame’s goal was rarely threatened as they mounted a series of attacks on the visitor’s goal with shots from Sam Cowan, Luke Ricketts, Adam Rhodes, Stuart Barr and Ben Connelly. Following a corner Dave Hocking was unlucky to see his goal bound shot blocked.

Possession in first part of the second half was more even as Penn sought to increase their lead and the crowd were treated to a period of fast, entertaining, end-to-end football. With about 20 minutes to play, sensing that one goal would be enough, the visitors pulled back and packed their defence as Thame struggled to find a way through. It became clear that it was not going to be Thame’s night as Both Ricketts and Rhodes missed chances, which they would normally have taken. Just before the final whistle blew goalkeeper Searl joined the siege but it was Penn who, perhaps luckily, took the points.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Watkins (Graves), Higgs, Hocking, Cowan, Connelly, Rhodes, Catlin (Skiller), Barr, Ricketts.