Thame United 3, Rayners Lane 0.

21/8/07 League

Thame United defeated Rayners Lane on Tuesday evening in an entertaining game played at a fast pace. Manager Mark West donned the 9 shirt and played for the full 90 minutes. Whilst ‘Westy’ may not be as fast as the rest of the team, many of whom are half his age, he showed some beautiful touches of class and scored the opening goal.

Thame started brightly and went ahead in the 14^th minute when James Bloomfield played a through ball to West lurking just outside the 6 yard box. It looked as if a defender had the ball under control when West took it from him, dummied the goalkeeper, and fired home. Rayners Lane countered and the small crowd were treated to a period of attacking end-to-end football, with both teams creating good moves and both defences under pressure.

Early in the second half Paul reading, who had come on to partner West up front after Bloomfield was injured, dropped back to midfield and Stuart Braun moved forward as joint striker. This proved an inspirational swap when they both scored. Reading’s goal was a beauty. It came after 70 minutes when the Braun played the ball back to Reading who hit a 30 yard screamer which the keeper got a hand to, but could not stop. Thame were now in control and, with 9 minutes remaining Ben Connelly made a brave run before squaring the ball to Braun who confidently finished from 12 yards.

Overall it was a good performance from the Thame team who will be encouraged that this season they have scored more goals than they have conceded. Thame United have not been in that position for over 2 years.

Thame United: Searl, Way, Graves, Hocking (Watkins), Ansell, Rhodes, Connelly, Braun (Leach), West, Bloomfield (Reading), Barr.