Category: Sports News

THAME UNITED has secured new sponsors for the forthcoming football season, in which they are already off to a flying start after a 1 – 0 victory of Bedford last Saturday, August 15, 2009.

Thame Crash Repairs are the club’s new sponsors of the 1st team squad with a deal that includes the squad receiving a player’s pro-pack consisting of Thame United branded sportswear from local supplier, Chiltern Sportswear, who have also very kindly sponsored the club.

Chris Connelly of Thame Crash Repairs (seen pictured with Thame United Chairman Jake Collinge) before their 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round game against Bedford, commented: “This will certainly bring a very professional look and feel for the squad which I hope will help performances on the pitch to continue to improve.”

Jake Collinge, United?s Chairman added: “This will certainly help us kick start our season. We’ve had a great opening with a 3-1 victory in our first league game and the FA cup win. With the vast majority of the players throughout all three sides now coming from Thame and with the Thame Boys FC set-up, it is an exciting era in the clubs history, especially with the prospects of the new community facility at Church Farm getting ever closer.”

United are also setting up a Club Shop in the near future through the Thame United website www.thameunitedfc.demon.co.uk to enable players and supporters to purchase from a specially selected range of Thame United branded sports and leisurewear from Chiltern Sportswear.

If any local companies are interested in providing sponsorship for the club’s Reserve or Allied Counties U18 Youth team squads, please contact Jake Collinge on 07753 502955.

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – 15/08/09 – Thame United 1, Bedford 0; MATCH REPORT

Thame United just about did enough to progress to the next round of the FA Cup at Wallingford on Saturday. This was Thame?s first FA cup win since their 2004 cup run, when they were eventually defeated by Forest Green Rovers. It was however a close game with United spending much of the second half defending their lead.

Thame had the better of the opening exchanges and took the lead after nine minutes. Following a Thame attack, the Bedford keeper hit a long kick which was intercepted by Nik Rhodes who played a delightful long ball ?over the top? to Mark Jones about 10 yards outside the Bedford penalty area. Jones ran at goal and confidently beat the keeper from 15-yards. When the ball was played Ben Connelly was in an offside position, but he coolly ignored the ball, and ran back on side, therefore not interfering with play.

As the half progressed the visitors gained more possession and the game went through a scrappy phase as Thame seemed to loose their ability to play flowing passes to feet. About 5 minutes before half time visiting striker Ian Thorn seemed to be unfairly challenged in the box and Bedford players appealed for a penalty. The linesman also flagged for a foul. To the relief of Thame supporters however referee A. Hyne, who was close to play, booked Thorn for diving. Paul Searl in the Thame goal pulled of a superb diving save just before the break.

The second half went a similar way to the first with Thame starting well but the visitors gradually gaining the upper hand. The home side however had several chances with both Jones and substitute Arron Rogers going close. On 70 minutes, Thame had their best chance to increase their lead when Luke Ricketts took the ball of a defender on the left and ran at goal before squaring to Tom Hoskin, whose shot beat the goalkeeper, but was blocked on the line by a defender. The final few minutes were nail biting with the Thame goal under siege. Fortunately, Searl was in stunning form, pulling off two great saves one with his feet and, seconds later, tipping a goal-bound shot over the bar. The last minute saw all eleven Thame players in their own penalty area defending a corner which was just cleared as the final whistle blew.

Thame are at home next Saturday 22nd, when the entertain league newcomers Woodley Town. They then play South Kilburn on Tuesday 25th before another home FA Cup tie on Saturday 29th August (opponents to be confirmed).

Thame United: Searl, Cowan, Newell, N Rhodes, Hocking, el-Kassir, Connelly (Rogers), A. Rhodes, Hoskin (West), Jones, Ricketts

Photo: Two mascots from Thame Boys and Girls FC, William Dack on the left and Max Abreu on the right

MATCH REPORT – League match – Tuesday, August 10, 2009 – Thame United 3, Farnborough Reserves 1

THAME United started the season in style at Wallingford on Tuesday evening when they defeated Farnborough Reserves 3-1. The visitors, who were formerly known as Bisley Sports, fielded several players who have played at a more senior level including former Northern Ireland under 21 International, and Wycombe Wanderers midfielder, Maurice Harkin. Nevertheless, Thame not only played with equal skill, but with a determination and passion which, on the night, outclassed the visitors.

Thame had the better of the opening exchanges but, after 16 minutes, Nik Rhodes was judged to have made an unfair challenge in the box, and a penalty was awarded. Farnborough?s impressive Mamadon Lamine buried the spot kick, giving Thame keeper, Lee Orkney no chance. Thame came back and seven minutes later, following a delightful 1-2 with Tom Hoskin, Adam Rhodes equalised with a strong shot, from an acute angle. Shortly before the break Orkney, who had not really been tested, did well to get his fingertips to a strong shot from Lamine, to deflect it over the crossbar.

Thame?s second goal came eight minutes after the restart when a hard hit corner, at chest level, was deflected into the net from close range by Thame captain, Dave Hocking (pictured). The final goal came in the 66th minute and was a beauty. Thame midfielder, Lawrence El-Kassir played a good ball into the box which was flicked on by Adam Rhodes to Mark Jones who quickly turned and beat his marker before hitting a well-placed shot into the right-hand corner. A few minutes later Orkney made another fine save for Thame. The final 20 minutes saw Thame fighting to increase their lead with both Luke Ricketts and Hoskin going close.

This was the best start to the season that Thame have has for several years. If they can keep the momentum and maintain their ?thirst? for goals, they could be challenging for the league title in April.

Thame United: Orkney, Cowan (Wakelin), Newell, N. Rhodes, Hocking, El- Kassir (Way), Connelly (Mitchell), A Rhodes, Hoskin, Jones, Ricketts

Photo: Steve Hocking

THE challenge of 12 marathons in 13 days is fast approaching for ?Edd and Ben the Marathon Men?. (SEE previous news story LINK

They urgently need public support to raise

YOUNG people from South Oxfordshire were the victors on June 28, 2009 at the Oxfordshire Youth Games, coming first in the tag rugby and high 5 netball.

Over a thousand competitors travelled from all over the county to play nine sports including cricket and tennis. Our district’s teams did us proud being awarded second place overall.

Bill Service, South Oxfordshire District Council Member in charge of sport said: “South Oxfordshire District Council is so impressed with the effort and dedication of our competitors at Oxfordshire Youth Games.

“Supporting teams at this sporting event is part of our commitment to improve access to a range of activities for young people throughout South Oxfordshire.”

Musa Audu, an Olympic bronze medallist, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and European Club Cup Gold medallist who will be representing Britain at London 2012, helped present the Winner Trophies and took his medals along for the children to look at.

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – THAME United kick off their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Spartan South Midlands League side Bedford on Saturday, 15th August, 2009, in a game that holds high hopes for the Hellenic League side to
progress into the next round and another home tie.

United have progressed comfortably through their
pre-season friendlies so far, looking to build up to the start of the season on Tuesday, 11th August with
a home fixture against Farnborough Town Res (7.45pm KO).

Thame have enjoyed some good runs in the FA Cup in previous seasons and are looking to capitalise
on the good finish they had at the end of last season. Having also made a number of new signings to
strengthen the squad, Mark West and Frank Thompson are optimistic that the team can put a positive
string of results together in August that will enable a good start to the season.

There will be some pre-match entertainment provided by teams from some of the youngsters from Thame Boys and Youth FC from 1pm, followed by a half time penalty shoot out. All under 16s will have
FREE entry for the match, Adults

MATCH REPORT – Buckingham Town 0, Thame United 3; Tuesday, August 4, 2009 – Friendly

THAME United completed their pre-season preparation on Tuesday evening with a convincing 0-3 win at Buckingham Town. The hosts, who are managed by former Thame player/manager Tony Joyce, were no match for United?s young team. The visitors were better organised, faster, and looked fitter than the home side. Whilst Joyce constantly changed his squad, Thame manager Mark West kept his team fairly stable until the last few minutes.

The first half was goalless and although United created some good chances, they were met by an on-form home keeper. With two minutes of the first half left Nik Rhodes found the back of the home net, but the build up was ruled offside. A minute later Tom Hoskin hit the crossbar with a blistering 25-yard shot.

United broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Mark Jones met an Adam Rhodes corner with a header which gave the keeper no chance. The second goal came on 67 minutes and was all about pace. Tricky left-winger Like Ricketts, collected the ball at the half way line, beat his marker and ran to the left by-line before hitting a perfect pass to Hoskin who did well to finish clinically from close range. Thame?s final goal came with 6 minutes to play when, following a good move on the left; Jones hit a strong 20-yard shot, which took a deflection of a defender on its way into the net. Both West, and club chairman Jake Collinge came of for the final few minutes and Collinge got his first touch just as the final whistle blew.

Overall it was an encouraging performance, but the real test will come with the first league game of the season next Tuesday, at Wallingford, when United face Farnborough Reserves (formerly Bisley Sports)

Thame United squad: Orkney, Searl, Newell, P. Way, N. Rhodes, Hocking, El-Kassir, Barr, S. Rhodes, Hoskin, Jones, Ricketts, Wakelin, West, Collinge.

MATCH REPORT: AFC WALLINGFORD 1, v THAME UNITED, August 01, 2009.

United secured a draw with landlords AFC Wallingford in a hard fought encounter at the Hithercroft Stadium last Saturday.

United started the brighter of the two sides and should have opened the scoring as early as the second minute when a pin-point cross from Stuart Barr on the right was met by a powerful header from Luke Ricketts but was well saved by the home keeper. The following twenty minutes saw AFC Wallingford gain the ascendancy with their quick attacking football and keeper Orkney needed to be alert on a number of occasions over this period. However, the next best chance fell to United, with midfielder Lawrence El-Kassir blasting a volley over the bar from 18 yards in the 28th minute. Five minutes later and striker John Mitchell did well to feed Adam Rhodes just inside the box whose square ball to Barr was met by a powerful drive just the wrong side of the post. Barr had another opportunity three minutes before the break but again saw his effort go wide.

United made a number of substitutions at half time and it was Wallingford who were quicker out of the blocks. Orkney again had to be alert in the 54th minute, doing well to push a header around the post, before United should have taken the lead when Greg Stocker drove the ball at the keeper from a wide angle, with the ricochet, albeit at high speed, being put wide by Mitchell. However, it was Wallingford who took the lead in the 70th minute. A deep corner from the right was headed back across goal where the Wallingford striker was able to comfortably score from close range. United nearly equalised a minute later when Rhodes made a good run to the by-line, passing the ball back to Mark Jones whose effort was then cleared off the line. The equaliser arrived three minutes later. Manager Mark West fed Stocker on the right whose first time cross was confidently headed beyond the keeper by Jones for his second goal in as many games. In the final ten minutes, the best chance fell to Stocker, who placed narrowly wide from an acute angle.

United travel to Buckingham Town on Tuesday evening for their final scheduled friendly before the start of the season (7;45pm kick off).

United Squad: Orkney, P.Way, G.Way, Newell, N.Rhodes, Hocking, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Barr, Ricketts, Jones, Mitchell, Barnett, Wakelin, Peverill, Bailey, Stocker, West.

1st August 2009
Photo: Thame’s scorer, Mark Jones

WITH the new season kicking off on Tuesday, Augus 10, Thame United will be looking to get off to a good start as they push for promotion to the Hellenic Premier League. United open-up with a tricky looking home tie against a Farnborough Reserves side who will be something of an unknown quantity given their emergence from the Bisley Sports side of last season.

Kick off is 7:45pm at AFC Wallingford. On the following Saturday (15th August) the magic of the FA Cup takes over, as United face Bedford at home in the Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round, 3:00pm kick off.

United will be keen to continue the form that led to a strong finish in the league last season. The majority of the squad from last year have re-signed for the forthcoming season, with experience and competition added in key positions. Lee Orkney (goalkeeper) joins from local rivals Chinnor and has impressed in pre-season, whilst the return of striker John Mitchell after a three year absence has given the side a further boost. Mitchell, a player long associated with the Club both on and off the field, is a proven goal scorer at a higher level, having successfully led the front line for United in their Southern League days. In addition, Ed Barnett joins from Chinnor to provide added competition to the defence. Combined with the odd cameo performance from manager Mark West, United look well placed to be challenging for honours this season.

1st August 2009

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