Category: Sports News

ARDLEY UNITED 0 vs THAME UNITED 2 – Away game 30/08/10; MATCH REPORT by Jake Collinge:

THAME put in their most complete display of the season on Bank Holiday Monday when they comprehensively beat the previously undefeated Ardley United.

The game, which saw the United squad stretched due to player injury and absenteeism, started in end-to-end fashion, with Thame playing down the pronounced slope and gradually gaining the upper hand. However, the first chance, which perhaps owed more to luck than judgment, came to Ardley after 10 minutes when a flighted cross from the right dropped on to the cross bar and, fortunately for Thame, away from danger. It was then Thame?s chance to press and following some half chances, striker Aaron Rogers fashioned an opening on the half hour and from 25 yards saw his effort beat the keeper but come back off the outside of the post. Five minutes later and a corner from Adam Rhodes was met by FA Cup hero Stuart Braun whose powerful header from six yards appeared to cross the line before being cleared by an Ardley defender.

With the score line goalless at half time, United perhaps expected to be under pressure for most of the second half given that they were now playing up the slope. However, with Nik Rhodes and Martin Brown solid at the back, Ardley failed to impose themselves and instead it was Thame who found themselves with the chances. Ten minutes in to the half and United looked to have twice gained a penalty when Man of the Match Alex Stewart was hauled back in the penalty area when clean through. With Stewart staying on his feet, his shot hit the bar and he received the same treatment when looking to score from the rebound. The referee, unlike the majority of the crowd, failed to see either offence and Thame started to wonder if it was to be one of those days. However, they only had to wait a further five minutes before taking the lead. Nik Rhodes swung over a free kick from the left that Stewart met with a powerful header 12 yards from goal, directing the ball in to the far corner and giving the home keeper no chance.

Ten minutes later and United doubled their lead when winger Ben Connelly went on a trademark run down the right, pulling the ball back for Stewart to drill the ball beyond the keeper. At 2-0 Thame looked reasonably comfortable and, despite Ardley having more possession, the United defence was rarely threatened, the nearest Ardley coming to getting a goal back being a 25 yard drive that Barisic turned round the post. Instead it was Thame who had the chances, with Stewart going close to a hat trick and substitute Thomas Hoskin causing the home defence problems.

In the end United held out for a 2-0 win and, in a game where all the players contributed, emphasised the strength of the squad.

United face Slimbridge at home (AFC Wallingford) on Saturday in the FA Vase, 3pm kick off.

Thame United: Barisic, Barr, J.Way, Brown, N.Rhodes, Braun, A Rhodes, Connelly, Stewart, Rogers (Hoskin), El Kassir (Wakelin).

LEAGUE MATCH – August 24, 2010 – BRACKNELL TOWN 2, versus THAME UNITED 3 – MATCH REPORT by Jake Collinge:

UNITED secured their first three points of the season at Bracknell on Tuesday evening, although the score line does little to reflect their dominance of the game.

After a flurry of corners for United in the opening few minutes, the deadlock was broken after five minutes with a goal that was simple in both construction and execution. A long kick from Thame keeper, Milan Barisic, was headed on by striker Aaron Rogers to Ben Connelly on the wide right. Connelly played the ball back to Adam Rhodes, whose first time cross was met by the head of Alex Stewart who confidently guided the ball beyond the home keeper. Stewart then nearly doubled the lead after half an hour when his turn and shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide of the left hand post.

However, United only had to wait another five minutes to extend their lead. The impressive James Saulsbury controlled the ball on the edge of his own box before feeding Connelly on the right, who went beyond his marker with ease and chipped the ball to the far post where Man of the Match Stuart Braun headed home. At this point, United were firmly in control and whilst Bracknell were dangerous on the break and from set pieces, Barisic had rarely been troubled.

The second half was only three minutes old when United increased their lead further. Stewart and Rogers combined well to put in Braun who confidently beat the keeper from close range. The game then became a midfield battle as both sides cancelled each other out, but Bracknell sensed a come back when they scored in the 77th minute. A flowing move down the right hand side resulted in a cross that Barisic did well to initially save before the ball fell at the feet of striker Dean Thomas who poked the ball through the legs of the stricken keeper. Two minutes later and Bracknell pulled another goal back. With Barisic having done well to push a 25-yard drive over the bar, the resulting corner again fell to Thomas who finished with confidence at the near post. Bracknell then pushed forward for an equaliser, but Thame defended the final few minutes well to secure their first league victory.

United return to FA Cup action on Saturday with a home game against Lydney Town. Kick off is 3pm at AFC Wallingford.

Thame United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, Saulsbury (J Way), N.Rhodes, Braun, A Rhodes, Connelly, Stewart (Jones), Rogers (Stallwood), Barr.

AROUND 100 people enjoyed the warm, weekend sunshine at Thame cricket ground on Sunday, many of them having not played cricket for many years, and some, like Howzat! the ladies’ team, were new to the game!

The Fun Day was to give non members the opportunity to have a go at playing a six-wicket match and to meet club members, and to help raise funds for much-needed new nets for training and practice.

A team made up of members, family and friends of Thame United FC won the trophy, after chasing 50 runs with two wickets to spare racked up by their nearest rivals – a team which included a group of Oxford United supporters!. A big six from Thame United Captain, Mark West made the difference in the end.

To find out more about Thame Town Cricket Club, visit their website: http://www.thametowncricketclub.org.uk/

AWAY LEAGUE GAME – Saturday 21/08/2010 – Wantage Town 1, Thame United 0 – MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bob Dixon)

THAME United narrowly lost their second league game of the season on Saturday away to Wantage Town. Although there was little to choose between the teams, the home side ?edged it? and just did enough to earn their win.

Despite the loss, United stay in 17th league position, having the best goal difference of the six clubs who have yet to win.

United were without Alex Stuart, Luke Ricketts, and Martin Brown. The game did however see the welcome return of Aaron Rogers. It was a game in which defences dominated, with both teams seemingly unable to string together more than a few passes before losing possession. As a result, scoring chances were few.

Wantage has slightly more ball possession in the first half, with Thame?s threat mainly coming from Ben Connelly runs on the right wing. One such run resulted in a difficult half chance for Aaron Rogers but, as he met Connelly?s cross, his marker closed him down and his header was high. The home side took the lead in the 42nd minute from their 3rd corner of the match.

Central defender Stuart Cattell met the ball with a strong glancing header which Dan Baylie seemed to clear off the Thame goal line. The well-placed linesman however signaled that the ball had crossed the line and a goal was awarded.

United played better in the second half and almost equalised in the 55th minute when, following a Thame corner the ball fell to Rogers, but his shot was just wide. With 15 minutes to play, United goalkeeper Milan Barsic, made an outstanding double save, first parrying a strong shot and then turning another shot round the post. In the final minute, a Ben Connelly shot forced a good save from the home keeper.

Thame United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Braun (G Way), Connelly, A Rhodes, Smallwood (Jones), Rogers, Baylie (Hoskin).

THIS month will see a new injection of funds into local sports centre Racquets from national body, England Squash, to enable the club to continue to grow and improve to an even higher standard.

The funds will pay for new lighting, glass doors, floors and walls within all four of the club?s courts. Racquets is hoping the new infrastructure will allow them to operate fully to England Squash standards, training greater numbers of players and hosting more national tournaments.

The move is in keeping with the centre?s reputation for training and promoting top players on a local and national level. Although it started as a small family-run club, Racquets has grown to become at the heart of the sporting community within Thame, coaching players of all ages and abilities. For more information on the new courts and ways to get involved see the website: http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/menus/main.asp

Photo: A recent win for Racquet’s MO45 Player, Rob Bateman

MATCH REPORT – Thame united 3 Vs Shrivenham 0 – August 14, 2010; THAME United progressed in to the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a relatively comfortable and convincing win against fellow Hellenic Premier Division side, Shrivenham.

With the words of manager Mark West still ringing in their ears from the previous Tuesday, United set about their opponents from the start and immediately had Shrivenham on the back foot. However, the first chance of the game and, as it transpired, their best chance in the whole game, fell to Shrivenham in the fifth minute when a ball across the box found a Shrivenham player unmarked at the far post but, fortunately for Thame, he mis-kicked from close range. Shrivenham regretted the miss three minutes later when, following a series of corners, Adam Rhodes delivered another corner from the right that was flicked on by striker (and Man of the Match) Alex Stewart and the defender could do no more than divert the ball in to the back of his own net.

Ten minutes later and United found the net for a second time. Following good work from Adam Stallwood, the ball was played out to left back Dan Baylie who delivered a first time cross to the edge of the six yard box that Stewart headed powerfully in to the top corner giving the visiting keeper no chance. It was game over five minutes before half time when United extended their lead further. A free kick from deep in the Thame half was played forward to Stewart on the edge of the box, who deftly laid the ball off to Stallwood who shot powerfully in to the bottom corner of the net.

With Thame 3-0 to the good at half time, the second half became a stalemate with United content to preserve their lead. However, the best chance of the half fell to midfield player Stuart Braun who forced a good save from the visiting keeper. Shrivenham continued to press but they were limited to long range efforts on goal that were comfortably dealt with by Barisic in the Thame goal.

United have another home draw in the next round on 28th August, when they again face Hellenic League opposition in the form of either Fairford Town or Lydney Town.

Thame United: Barisic, Newell, Baylie, Saulsbury (G Way), N.Rhodes, Braun (El-Kassir), A Rhodes, Connelly, Stewart, Stallwood (Hoskin), Ricketts.

By Jake Collinge

MATCH REPORT – Thame United 1, Ascot United 2 – 10/08/10 – League game at Home: THAME United started their league campaign at Wallingford on Tuesday evening with a narrow defeat, losing 1-2 to Ascot United. Although a disappointing result, it was an encouraging performance by the Thame team, who created more chances than their opponents, and were the better side for much of the game.

The experienced James Saulsbury suffered a groin strain during the pre-match warm-up and was replaced by Luke Fisher, who was a regular member of the young Thame squad in the 05/06 season. The opening exchanges were fairly even, but then the home side started to gain the upper hand and forced three successive corners, one of which brought a good save from the visiting keeper when he just got a hand to a Ben Connelly shot. Thame was in control, and the best chance of the half fell to the normally deadly Captain, Nik Rhodes, who met a free kick with an off-target header.

A few minutes later Dan Bailey brought another good save from the visiting keeper. In the Thame goal, Milan Barisic was idle until the 40th minute, when he made a comfortable save. Against the run of play however, a minute later he was beaten when an Ascot close passing move resulted in a 10-yard shot from visiting striker Rob Saunders which glanced in off the left post.

Possession was more even in the second half but again Thame crated more chances. The equaliser came in the 65th minute with a move which involved four home players. Substitute Mark Jones collected the ball on the Left and fed it to fellow sub, Tom Hoskin who had run outside ?on the overlap?. Hoskin hit a cross which Alex Stuart headed to Ben Connelly who clinically volleyed home from six yards. The remainder of the game was even with some entertaining end-to-end football. At the Thame end the visitors hit the post whilst, at the other end, Hoskin beat two defenders before forcing yet another good save from the Ascot keeper. The final goal came four minutes from time when visiting substitute Jon Bennett ran, seemingly unchallenged, to the right by-line and pulled the ball back to Saunders who hit a volley from 15-Yards, which gave Barisic no chance.

Thame United: Barisic, Fisher (Hoskin), Newell, N Rhodes, Brown (G Way), Braun, Connelly, A Rhodes, Stuart, Stallwood (Jones), Baylie.

PHOTO: Goal scorer, Ben Connelly

A new kung fu class is starting at Thame Leisure center on August 5, at 7pm. Duncan Elliott, a local teacher and experienced international kickboxer, has now decided to move his classes to Thame after 17 years in chinnor.

For further information, call Duncan on 07803 630067.

FOLLOWING their success last season in clinching the Division One East title, Thame United begin life in the Hellenic Premier Division with a home fixture against Ascot United on Tuesday, August 10.

The match sees United return to the Premier Division after three seasons in Division One East and manager Mark West knows what to expect: Tthere will be a step up in class this season and we know that to be competitive we will have to give 100% in each game,” he said.

“That said, if we play to our potential, we will be a match for anyone in the league.”

West and assistant manager, Frank Thompson, having been working hard in the close season to bring in new faces to add to the championship winning squad. In comes goal keeper Milan Barisic from Oxford City Nomads, striker Alex Stewart from Marlow and defenders, James Saulsbury and Martin Brown from Aylesbury FC and Didcot Town respectively ? all of whom will be familiar to United supporters having previously played for the Club.

“We now have a balance of experience and youth in the squad and greater strength in depth, that will put us in good stead come the game against Ascot,” added West.

United have also come in to form during the pre-season. Despite losing their opening game 2-1 at Woodley Town, they have since beaten Woodcote and Stoke Row (5-0), Chinnor (3-0) and Penn and Tylers Green (4-1), and last Tuesday held Southern League side Marlow to a 0-0 draw and, indeed, could count themselves unlucky not to have beaten their higher league opposition.

United will be looking to continue that form in their opening league game against Ascot United on August 10.

Kick off is at 7:45pm at AFC Wallingford, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford.

A THAME woman is celebrating for the second year in a row, after her five year-old Welsh cob mare won the Welsh Section C & D, four years and over class, at Thame Show on Saturday.

Lesley Evans’ mare, Broughton Morwena or Wena as she is known, has done even better this year, also having been judged to be Champion Mountain & Moorland in-hand Champion and best local entry.

Wena is originally from the Broughton Welsh cob Stud, Aylesbury, and Lesley lives in Willow Road, Thame, so a truly local win! Wena has only been shown twice this year and already has two wins and two Championships against her name. She has been entered for Bucks County Show at the end of the month and has qualified for the Chiltern & Thames Rider magazine Championships in Hertfordshire in September. Lesley says that they also hope to do well at a Welsh medal show at the end of the month.

Lesley told ThameNews.Net: “I bought Wena as a foal after having spent many hours researching bloodlines for quality, type and temperament. She has the very oldest of bloodlines. Her sire was twice qualified as a ridden finalist at the Horse of the Year Show and that’s where Wena is being targeted when she starts her ridden career next year. I’m currently just quietly hacking her and progressing her schooling ready for next year. Wena has a wonderful personality and very popular on the yard; she is very greedy and loves to be fussed and cuddled, as well as being remarkably sensible for a youngster. She is also very beautiful, with a particularly nice head and eye as well as movement to die for.

“I have ridden since the age of six and had my first pony at the age of 11. I have had a few horses in the past, but Wena is the horse of a lifetime and I am so lucky to own her. I am now over 50, a granny and a medical secretary at the John Radcliffe Hospital, so a very ordinary person!”