Category: Sports News

LEAGUE MATCH – Tuesday, 7/04/09 – Henley Town 1, Thame United 1.

THAME United extended their unbeaten run to seven games on Tuesday evening, April 7, when they drew 1-1 at Henley Town. Thame are currently 10th in the league whilst Henley are in 5th place. Nevertheless, the teams were evenly matched, which resulted in a fast, entertaining game which either side could have won.

Thame started brightly and opened the scoring in the 7th minute. Ben Connelly collected the ball just inside the Henley half and made one of his pacey runs on the right, beating his marker before hitting an accurate cross to Tom Hoskin who clinically beat the keeper from 6-yards. Henley countered and Thame goalkeeper, Paul Searl was forced to make some good saves. The home team however equalised in the 23rd minute with a fierce 25-yard shot from Darren Paiser that gave Searl no chance. Henley had Thame ?on the back foot? for a while and had chances to increase their lead but their finishing was weak and Searl was able to deal comfortably with the threat. Thame recovered, and it was only fair that the teams went in for the break with the scores level.

Although enjoyable, the second half was a goalless anticlimax. Possession, territory, and chances were 50/50 with both teams containing the opposition and neither goalkeeper seriously tested. With about 15 minutes to play, Thame?s talented left-winger Stuart Barr received a bad challenge and a foul was awarded. Although neither I, nor the Thame bench saw the incident, I am told that Barr reacted by lashing out at his aggressor. The referee reached for his red card and Barr was dismissed.

Unfortunately, several Thame players received injuries and may not be fit to play in all of the three games scheduled for the next six days.

Thame United: Searl, Meredith, Way, Thompson, Hocking (A Rhodes), Cowan, Connelly, Jones (El-kassir), Gough (Rickets), Hoskin Barr.

A BETTTER result came for Thame on Thursday, April 9, when they beat Prestwood five goals to one.

Such was United?s dominance of this game, that they rarely needed to get out of first gear and the only surprise was that they did not score more than five goals in a game where they had no fewer than 27 shots on goal. United had to wait until the 25th minute for the opening goal, having already created eight goal scoring opportunities up to this point. The goal was made by Pete Way who curled an inch perfect ball from just inside his own half through to Tom Hoskin who raced through the static Prestwood defence to confidently beat the Prestwood keeper low to his right. After Hoskin, Ben Connelly and Tom Goffe had all gone close, United extended their lead in the 37th minute when Luke Ricketts picked up a loose ball in the area and from the narrowest of angles smashed the ball inside the keepers near post.

United made it 3-0 three minutes after the break when, after some good work down the right flank, winger Ben Connelly crossed for Hoskin to finish confidently. Prestwood then scored what would only turn out to be a consolation goal in the 53rd minute, with a well placed header from a corner. The three goal cushion was maintained two minutes later when a Luke Ricketts corner was met by a powerful header from centre back Sam Cowan. With United in complete control it was only a matter of time before the fifth goal. This duly arrived in the 79th minute when Ricketts met a pin-point cross field ball from substitute Mark Jones and side-footed the ball beyond the Prestwood keeper. Both Ricketts and Hoskin had chances to complete their hatrick but, with the light fading, United had to settle for five goals and another three points.

The win extends the unbeaten run to eight, during which time United have collected 20 points from a possible 24 and are now well-placed in the top half of the league.

Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Way, Cowan, Thompson, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Connelly (Barr) Ricketts, Goffe, Hoskin (Jones).

Photo: Goalscorer Luke Ricketts, Sam Cowan and Tom Hoskin

LEAGUE GAME – 31/03/09 – Thame United 2, Chinnor 0

THAME United ended Chinnor’s run of seven unbeaten games, and extended their own run to five successive wins on Tuesday evening.

This brings the results and goals scored between the two teams this season to level pegging. They drew 1-1 in November?s league fixture, and Chinnor beat Thame 2-0 when they met in an Oxfordshire Cup game in December.

Thame United?s descent through the football pyramid in recent seasons has caused the two teams to be more evenly matched, and the rivalry between them has grown making their encounters a real local derby. As Thame Chairman Jake Collinge pointed out in the match programme, a significant proportion of players will have played for both clubs at some point in their career. It was not surprising therefore that Tuesday?s game attracted Thame?s highest attendance of the season and spectators were treated to a fast, entertaining game, played in an electric atmosphere.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but as the game progressed, Thame started to gain the upper hand. In the 22nd minute Thame winger Ben Connelly, who was in sparking form, hit a low cross from the right, and following a goalmouth scramble, the ball ended up in the Chinnor net. Referee Evans initially awarded a goal but then saw his linesman?s flag raised and went over to consult with him. As a result, Chinnor were awarded a goal kick, as the ball had gone out of play during the build up.

There was a moment of real quality about 10 minutes later. Following a Thame corner, the ball fell to Stuart Barr who hit a blistering, first time shot, from the edge of the penalty area only to see Chinnor?s goalkeeper Lee Orkney make an outstanding save.

The home side took the lead in the 40th minute. Thame broke on the left and Mark Jones hit a pass to Connelly who was about 20 yards from goal. Chinnor defender and former Thame player, Mark Avery, intercepted the pass but the tenacious Connelly took the ball from Avery and calmly beat the advancing Orkney. The teams went in for the break with Thame deservedly in the lead by one goal.

At the restart, Chinnor?s Gary Marshall came on for the injured Alex Stuart. The visitors were stronger in the second half with Thame keeper Paul Searl, who had been untroubled for the first 45 minutes, much busier. Both teams were playing well and the crowd were treated to some enthralling end-to-end football. With about 20 minutes to play, it looked as if Chinnor had equalised when both Marshall and Searl went for a long free kick and the ball ended in the back of the net. The ?goal? however was disallowed for a foul on Searl.

With about 10 minutes left, Chinnor took off central defender Richard Carr and threw everyone forward in search if the equaliser. Thame?s second goal came in injury time when Connelly hit a long clearance from his penalty area to substitute Tom Hoskin, who picked it up near the halfway line. The speedy Hoskin ran at goal, pursued by Richard Avery, who challenged him just after he had cut into the penalty area. Referee Evans, perhaps harshly, immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Adam Rhodes buried the spot kick, and it was effectively ?game over?.

Thame United: Searl, Cowan, Way, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir, Connelly, Rhodes, Rogers (Hoskin), Jones, Barr (Ricketts).

Thame have a busy schedule next week, visiting visit Newbury on Saturday 4th, Henley on Tuesday 7th, and Prestwood on Thursday 9th. Their next home game is on Easter Saturday 11th when they entertain league leaders, Ascot United.

MATCH REPORT – Saturday, March 28 – Englefield Green Rovers – 1 versus Thame United 3

UNITED made it four straight wins on Saturday but the scoreline does not tell the full story. United struggled from start to finish on a difficult surface and it was only the quality of their finishing that made the difference.

Englefield started the stronger of the two sides, forcing Thame on to the back foot with their long ball game and tricky wing play. However, United opened the scoring from their first chance on nine minutes when Englefield were unable to clear a Pete Way corner and the ball fell invitingly to centre back, Dave Hocking on the penalty spot and his powerful drive gave the keeper no chance.

Despite United taking the lead, Englefield continued to control the majority of the possession without any real penetration, and the next half chance fell to Thame after 30 minutes with Lawrence El-Kassir flicking on a Mark Jones cross but Stuart Barr was unable to connect at the far post.

The lead was extended 10 minutes later. Mark Jones, on the left hand edge of the box, did well to flick the ball over his shoulder to fellow striker Aaron Rogers, who crossed to the far post where Ben Connelly headed the ball back towards the penalty spot. By this time Jones had continued his run in to the area and he volleyed the ball home with an unstoppable shot that left the keeper grasping at thin air. Three minutes later and the game was effectively won for Thame. Connelly made a good run in to the box but was tackled as he was about to shoot. The ball then came back to Adam Rhodes who made room for himself before calmly curling the ball in to the bottom left hand corner of the goal from the edge of the box.

With Thame still wondering how they were 3-0 up at half time, Englefield came out of the blocks strongly at the start of the second half and had a good opportunity five minutes in to the half, but were unable to find the target. There then followed a controversial incident as Mark Jones was upended by a crude tackle inside the box. Whilst the referee blew up for a foul, he gave a free kick outside the box. Rhodes placed the subsequent free kick just over the bar. United then conspired to nearly give Englefield a way back in to the game as a mix up between keeper, Paul Searl, and skipper Lee Thompson, saw the Englefield striker place his shot just wide of the goal. Englefield did, however, pull a consolation goal back on 82 minutes. United were caught sleeping at a short corner and the goal bound header was well blocked on the line by Pete Way, but the follow up was tapped in to the back of the net by the Englefield sriker.

That was the end of the action and, whilst Thame have played better this season and lost, Searl was rarely threatened in goal and it was another three points and Thame continue to move up the table.

Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Way, Hocking, Thompson, El-Kassir, Rhodes (Cowan), Connelly, Rogers (Hoskin), Jones, Barr.

Photo: Dave Hocking

MATCH REPORT – Chinnor 25 pts Lydney 27 pts; Saturday, May 28, 2009.

ANOTHER cliff-hanger. Chinnor left themselves with a mountain to climb as they trailed by 27 pts to six with just 25 minutes left on the clock. That they clawed their way back into contention, being just two points adrift with seven minutes remaining, indicated quite clearly what a “curate’s egg”of a performance this was. Although they tried might and main to get the winning score, the wise heads of Lydney closed up shop and kept the ball within their grasp for the last five minutes of the game.

Chinnor made three changes from the Havant game, all in the forwards. Bob Baker came in at tight head prop with David Jackson and Macsen Williams who replaced the injured Angus Neilsen, starting in the back row.

Lydney went ahead as early as the second minute, when a Chinnor kick out of defence was charged down with the ball bizarrely lodging itself in the midriff of a Lydney player. With the Chinnor defence being caught completely unaware, Lydney were afforded a massive overlap and James Bashford went over almost unopposed. Mark Davies slotted the easy conversion. Lydney then scored again when centre, Micheal Rinaldi, completely bamboozled the Chinnor defence on the touchline to round james Serrano and score wide out. This most certainly was a score that should have been defended. James Cathcart then kicked two well struck penalties to put Chinnor back into contention, but on the stroke of half-time Lydney again attacked down the Chinnor right hand touchline. Mark Davies their influential fly-half put in a delicate chip which bounced kindly for winger Charlie Vine to take and score wide out.

Chinnor started the second half as if they meant business. However they were into playing catch-up rugby too soon which was evident in the manner that they were trying to pass out of the tackle in favour of patiently building up the attack. They were punished for this when, from a Chinnor attack that broke down, Lydney swept away with Ben Slatter scoring. A penalty by Mark Davies only added to Chinnor’s woes as they found themselves 21 points in arrears after 55 minutes of play.

It was then all Chinnor. A swift bout of passing from a scrum saw Richard Williams squeeze in at the corner to be quickly followed by Toby Prescott taking a pass from the base of a scrum to stroll over under the posts, Ben Hewitt converting. It was then the turn of Tom Shiel to turn on the gas and outpace his opposite number to go over for Chinnor’s third try and with Hewitt converting, Chinnor were two points adrift with their tails well and truly up. They had a sniff of a chance just minutes later when Shiel was taken by the cover defence when a better option would have been a kick and chase. This was to be Chinnor’s last opportunity as, from then on, Lydney did not give them the ball. At the final whistle it was an ecstatic Lydney and a despondent Chinnor.

Ifs and buts certainly entered the debate at the final whistle. The main thrust of opinion surrounded the time it took for Chinnor to get into their stride. Andy Millburn, who came on for the final 15 minutes, certainly put himself about in that time and is deserving of mention. Three games left. All is not lost. Two wins could still ensure that Chinnor do not make the drop.

A BOOTCAMP style fitness club on the Southern Road recreation ground in Thame, has been given tentative approval by Thame Town Council.

Local resident, Emma Redding and Jo Hubbick, who already runs a ‘Buggy Fit’ course for new mums, want to run an outdoor exercise club, three times a week, which would include military style training including stretching, walking, running, muscle exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups.

The town council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee has agreed to the club using its land for the fitness club, subject to there being no legal implications for the council.

Photo: Courtesy of Body Buster Fitness

LEAGUE MATCH 24/03/09 – Thame United 1, Henley Town 0

THAME United recorded their third successive win on Tuesday evening at home, against Henley Town. It was a close game that either club could have won. Henley were six league places above Thame but the home side matched them and their was little to chose between the two teams. This led to a fast, entertaining game in which every ball was vigorously contested.

Thame started brightly and after a few minutes, Ben Connelly met a cross from the left and beat the visiting goalkeeper, but the linesman?s flag was already raised for an earlier offside and the ?goal? was disallowed. The best chance of the half fell to visiting striker, Mark Bartley, who found a gap in the Thame defence and ran at goal. But with only Thame keeper, Paul Searl to beat, he finished poorly and Searl comfortably collected his weak shot. The half finished goalless, with Thame having slightly more possession but the visitors creating more chances.

Henley started the second half strongly and Thame were ?on the back foot? for a while. In the 52nd minute visiting captain, Danny Longwood, beat Searl to a cross and headed in, only to have his effort disallowed for a foul on Thame?s keeper. A few minutes later, a visiting striker met a long throw-in with a strong header which grazed the top of the crossbar. The home side fought back and the deadlock was broken in the 76th minute. Thame were awarded a free kick on the left which Stuart Barr took and, as Thame players were running to meet the ball, one was fouled and went down. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Adam Rhodes took the spot kick well placing the ball in the right hand corner.

The remainder of the game was tense but the home side held out and, as a result, Thame have gained three league places.

Thame United: Searle, Newell, Way, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir Connelly, Rhodes, Rogers (Cowan), Jones (Hoskin), Barr (Meredith)

Thame are away to Englefield Green Rovers next Saturday 28th. Their next home game is on Tuesday 31st when local rivals Chinnor are the visitors

THAME Tennis Club is launching its new coaching programme, offering something for everyone this spring and summer, with courses for juniors and adults of all levels.

The programme starts on Monday, April 6, with two weeks of Easter camps for 5-16 year olds.

The summer programme then starts on Monday, April 20, with lessons for juniors, from beginner to performance level. Adults have choices of lessons from beginner to team standard as well as three keep fit cardio tennis sessions every week throughout the summer.

Non-members are welcome and encouraged to join the programme this summer. All players also have the opportunity to get involved with events, matchplay and trips organised by the Club all year round.

For more details, please call Head Coach Steve Bell on 07740-859588 or visit the Club?s website at www.thametennisclub.org.uk.

LEAGUE MATCH REPORT – Thame United 6, Eton Wick 0 – Saturday, March 21, 2009.

THAME United won comfortably at Wallingford last Saturday against, bottom of the table club, Eton Wick. The two clubs last met in August, when they drew 2-2.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but after about 10 minutes, Thame started to gain the upper hand. Their first goal came in the 14th minute when Stuart Barr hit a perfect corner kick and Dave Hocking rose above the pack unopposed to head in from 6 yards. The second came a few minutes later during a goalmouth scramble, following a corner, when Tom Hoskin saw his shot hit the post then come back out, off a defender, before he was able to finish from close range. It was one-way traffic for a period with Barr forcing a good save from Eton?s stand-in goalkeeper.

After the break the visitors came out fired up and had their best period of the game without seriously testing home keeper Paul Searle. Thame again came back with Hocking hitting a goalpost, Mark Jones unlucky to see his long range shot just clear the crossbar, and a Lawrence El-Kassir shot being cleared off the line. Another Thame goal looked inevitable, and it came in the 69th minute with a well-worked move. Jones broke on the left and ran at goal before squaring the ball to substitute Aaron Rogers who hit a clinical first time shot from 15 yards, giving the visiting Keeper no chance. Then the floodgates opened. Thame?s forth goal came three minutes later when Barr hit a long corner which Ben Connelly met and hit a ball, which was probably going wide, before Adam Rhodes knocked it in at the far post.

Goal number five arrived in the 80th minute. Pete Way took a free kick at the edge of the penalty area and went for goal, only to see his on target shot deflected in by a defender. Thame?s final goal came two minutes later when the ball came out from a corner and Mark Jones hit a spectacular 25-yard thunderbolt through a crowd of players low into the left corner of the goal. In the final minutes, Thame found the back of the net twice from low Connelly crosses, but both goals were ruled offside.

Thame United: Searle, Newell (Meredith), Way, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir (Cowan), Connelly, Rhodes, Hoskin (Rogers), Jones, Barr.

Thame entertain Henley town on Tuesday 24th. The following Tuesday 31st March local rivals Chinnor are the visitors.

MATCH REPORT – Saturday, March 21, 2009 – Havant 17 pts v Chinnor 25 pts;

AS predicted this game went right down to the wire. Hook lane at Havant on Saturday afternoon was no place for those of a nervous disposition. This was a must-win game for both sides.

Chinnor were once again forced to make changes to their starting line-up in the threes. James Serrano came in on the right wing, and in the pack a reshuffle was required at the last moment as Bob Baker was called up by Wasps for their Sunday fixture against Bristol. Tom Whelan made a welcome return at tight head prop, Andy Millburn came into the second row and Arthur Ellis came in at hooker, fresh from his England Under 20 duties.

Chinnor started in a sprightly fashion, spreading the ball at every availailable opportunity away from the heavier Havant forwards. They went close to scoring several times in the early stages, once ignoring a three on one overlap. Eventually their persistence was rewarded when, in the nineth minute, Richard Williams finished off a sweeping move to run in under the posts. With James Cathcart adding the conversion and a penalty in the 30th minute, Chinnor lead at the interval by 10 points. They should have been further in front but squandered a couple of clear cut chances just before the half-time whistle.

A penalty by Liam Davenport, the Havant scrum half, whose box kicking was to cause the Chinnor defence many anxious moments in the second period, reduced the deficit after just 10 minutes play, and when he converted a fine solo effort from full back Karim Ward 11 minutes later, it was all square.

Cathcart then stepped up to the mark with a penalty to edge Chinnor in front but another try by Ryan McBride straight from the resultant kick-off, converted by Davenport, put Havant four points ahead with just 13 minutes remaining. A try by Trevor Powell some four minutes later edged Chinnor ahead by just a single point and with the game opening up this was obviously a tenuous lead with still nine minutes left on the clock. A second Richard Williams try in the 77 minute gave Chinnor a little breathing space with the all important conversion required to put them two scores ahead with time running out. Cathcart then stepped up to the mark both with his temperament and accuracy proving invaluable for the not-too-easy kick.

That Chinnor responded in such a positive fashion with defeat a distinct possibility as time was running out, says much for their character. This was always going to be a difficult game on Havant’s patch with them desperately needing a win to stave off relegation. That Chinnor prevailed is good news as it keeps the season alive, and with Lydney at Kingsey Road next Saturday, there is once again all to play for.

On a sad note, Angus Neilson, who had a storming game, suffered delayed concussion and spent the night in the John Radcliffe under observation. He got the all clear on Sunday morning. However this is not the first time that Angus has suffered in this manner and it looks that he will have to sit out the rest of the season.

YOUNG novice fencers from Thame Duellists Fencing Club gave a strong account of themselves, fencing away from home against Burford last week.

With a number of fencers unavailable for the fixture, Arran Strutt (11) and Samuel Law (10), both of whom have been fencing for just three weeks, were selected for the Under 16 team to face Burford. U16 captain for the match, the more experienced Jonathan Winn (15) gave an assured performance, picking up three comfortable wins with some deft bladework, but there was less expectation on Strutt and Law.

However, in a display which bodes well for the Thame juniors, both fenced aggressively and confidently in their first competitive outing for the club, picking up a further three wins between them.

Burford?s team of Alex Woodd, Ben King, Natalie Hogg and Zoe Sheehan held their nerve under pressure and repeated attacking from Thame, but the Thame fencers had done enough to earn an unexpected 6-6 draw against their more experienced opposition.

The senior match was a more cagey affair with both teams knowing well enough what to expect of each other. But Thame?s James Kingston, Alec Jeddere-Fisher and Phil Hockley (making his senior squad debut) ground out a 5-4 win against a good Burford side (David Taylor, Gary Savage and Mike Starling), maintaining their recent record of success against their Burford opponents.

Club Chairman, James Kingston, described the rivalry between the Oxfordshire clubs as ?very friendly? since the two clubs shared summer training facilities last year.

Thame Duellists Fencing Club welcomes new members, both adults and juniors. Anyone interested should call Club Chairman James Kingston on 07947 049511.

Thame Duellists Fencing Club gratefully acknowledges financial support from Thame Town Council and from CPM UK.

PHOTO: Thame Duellist Under 16s Arran Strutt, Jonathan Winn and Samuel Law