Category: Sports News

F.A. Cup August 19, Match Report – Wembley 3, Thame United 0. (Contributed)
THAME United had the dubious honour to be the first team eliminated from this season?s F.A. Cup competition on Saturday.
The game at Wembley was moved forward to Friday evening to allow for T.V. recording by both the BBC and Sky. The BBC featured match highlights in Saturday?s Football Focus programme. The F.A. Cup was on display to the 200 or so spectators before the game. It was an entertaining match played at pace – a fitting start for the competition.

Thame went a goal down in the first minute when Wembley were awarded a free kick five yards outside the Thame penalty area. A set piece, straight from the training ground, saw Thame players fooled into thinking the ball was going right but it was reversed to Jomo Mitchell unmarked on the left. Mitchell struck a powerful shot from 15 yards and, although Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl got a hand to it, the ball finished in the back of the net.

Thame countered and there were chances at both ends. After 15 minutes a defensive error allowed Wembley?s pacey striker Steve Augustine though on goal to finish clinically from 10 yards. Thame then had their best spell of the match. Dave Tregurtha almost scored from a corner but his header was inches wide of the post. A few minutes before half time, the impressive Nick Gibson unleashed a strong shot from the edge of the box which hit the Wembley cross bar. The ball fell to Ben Connolley but before he had it under control he was closed down and the chance was lost.

The second half saw some entertaining end-to-end football with both sides going close. The final goal came in the 62nd minute and was a brilliant individual effort. Wembley?s Paul Shelton picked the ball up just inside the Thame half and ran at goal. He beat at least two defenders before dribbling around the advancing Searl and side-footing the ball home. A few minutes later it looked as if Wembley would increase their lead when, following a clumsy challenge by Magid Raja, they were awarded a penalty. Searl however pulled of an outstanding save from Mitchell?s spot kick. The final 15 minutes saw Thame fighting unsuccessfully for a consolation goal.

Although this was a disappointing result, Wembley are an impressive side and the Thame performance was their best for ages.

Thame United: Searl (capt.), Jackson, Watkin (Johnson), Raja, Tregurtha, Kitson, Cairns, Connelly, Cakmak (Miller), Gibson (Davis), Jack.

Buckingham Town 2 – Thame United 0

THAME United brought their pre-season fixtures to a close on Tuesday evening, losing 2-0 to Buckingham Town. Playing with a new back three, Thame took time to settle and were exposed early in the game by Buckingham?s long-ball game and quick forwards. Paul Searl made an outstanding one-handed save in the fifth minute before Buckingham took the lead two minutes later, doubling the scoreline in the tenth minute with an unfortunate own goal.

Thame then began to take control of the game in the midfield, with the impressive trio of Sion Kitson, Ben Connelly and Alex Cairns breaking-up play and feeding Joe Da Silva and Nick Gibson on the left and right respectively. With Ryan Davis up front making good runs through the channels, Buckingham were forced on to the back foot and it was no surprise that Thame created a number of goal scoring opportunities. However, with the woodwork coming to Buckingham?s rescue and keeper James Lansdown in good form, Thame could not find that elusive goal.

Showing the depth of the squad developed by joint Managers Richard Searl and Alan Thorne, Thame made seven substitutions at half time, with Graham Jackson and Adam Rhodes putting in good displays in midfield, and Dave Miller working tirelessly up front. Despite having the bulk of the possession and creating a number of goal scoring opportunities, Thame could not find a way through keeper Lansdown and the match ended 2-0.

Thame United travel to Bristol on Saturday (12th August) for their opening Hellenic Premier League game against Almondsbury Town, with their first home league fixture at AFC Wallingford?s Hithercroft Stadium taking place the following Tuesday (15th August) against Kidlington (7:45pm kick off). The game at Wembley FC in the FA Cup, originally scheduled for 19th August, has been brought forward to Friday 18th August (7:45pm kick off) to enable coverage on BBC?s ?Road to Wembley? series on Football Focus the following day.

The Chinnor Lionhearts were in action in Guildford yesterday, Sunday, in the newly formed Martial Arts Combat League.
Two members of the team, from Chinnor King-fu and Kickboxing Club, Phil Keavy and Nick Portnall, both took part in their novice sections, under 70kg and 75kg.
Since success in the Birmingham Super League, Phil has yet to find that form, although he did produce a text book turning kick to his opponent’s head. But it was not quite enough for him to win his fight.

The club’s Sifu, Duncan Elliott, managed to win in his category against a previous opponent, Jason Griffiths from Wales.
Duncan said: “I was pleased I won, because I changed tactics and didn’t go all out and get countered, as was the case last time; this time I waited for Jason to make the mistakes and took advantage, holding my lead throughout and ending with a 5-2 score.

The Lionhearts will next be in action on the August 27, at Watford.

Anyone interestd in finding out about Chinnor King-fu and Kickboxing Club, can contact Duncan on 07803 630067.

Photo: Phil Keavy and Nick Portnall with their awards, won back in June.

Ex Chinnor and Tetsworth resident, Simon Burnett, played his part over the weekend, by helping the Great Britain’s men’s team take bronze in the medley event at the European Championships in Budapest.

Ex Lord Bill’s pupil, Simon praised his teams efforts for giving: “110%!” having personally contributed to Great Britain being named Champions of Europe with a total of 13 medals – the most ever won by a British squad at the European Champiionships.

THAME United are to feature on the BBC’s Football Focus Programme.
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Ex Lord Williams’s student, Simon Burnett was a member of the Great Britain team who were disqualified in the 4x100m freestyle final at the European Championships in Budapest last night.
The 23-year-old had earlier helped ‘the brits’ set a national record of 3mins 19.01 secs in the heats, qualifing as the fifth fastest of the eight participating countries. Then, in the final, fellow team members Chris Cozens and Craig Houston bungled their takeover and the team was eliminated.

The Gold medal finally went to Italy in a Championship record of 3.15.23, with Russia taking silver in 3.16.47, and France the bronze in 3.16.53 secs.

Simon is hoping for better luck in today’s 200 metres race, which he admits to being a bit of a ‘b

THAME United began their pre-season campaign last Saturday with a convincing 5-1 victory against Hellenic League Division 1 East side Penn and Tylers Green FC.
Despite the score line it was Penn and Tylers Green who made the early running, forcing a fine penalty save from last seasons player of the year, Paul Searl. However, Thame gradually began to take control and with good passing and movement, goals followed from Ryan Davis (2) and Darren Moore. Penn and Tylers Green then pulled a goal back, before a left footed volley from Joe Da Silva made it 4-1. A Nik Rhodes penalty rounded off a good day for Thame.

The fixtures for the Hellenic League Premier Division have now been issued and Thame, who will play their home games at AFC Wallingford, have been given a trip to Almondsbury Town on the opening day of the season on 12th August. This will be followed by their first home game on Tuesday 15th August against Kidlington. The following weekend (19th August) Thame begin the long road to Wembley in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup with an away tie at Wembley FC. Following good performances in the FA Cup in two of the last three seasons, Thame will be hoping to progress to the next round where they will have a home tie against Redbridge FC.

OFF the field, Thame United hold their AGM at 7:30pm on Monday 7th August at Thame Town Hall. All Members are welcome at the meeting where, amongst other matters, an update will be provided on the progress being made in establishing new facilities for the Club in the town. The Club are also looking for additional Committee Members and volunteers to assist on match days. Anybody interested in becoming involved can contact the Chairman, Jake Collinge, on 07753 502955.

OXFORDSHIRE Sports Partnership is holding fun athletics courses for 8-14 yr olds across Oxfordshire this summer.
The first is on Monday, July 24 to Thursday, 27, at Lord Williams?s Lower School from 10am to 3pm.
UK Athletics Qualified Coaches will lead all sessions and fun sports hall equipment will be used. The price of a four-day course is

WITH over 700 entries, 2006 saw one of the biggest ever Thame 10K road races, marred only slightly by one entrant collapsing short of the finish and an impatient driver creating challenges for a steward.
The young runner was helped by therapy staff from The Practice and assisted over the finishing line.
An eye witness to the ugly incident on the Thame by-pass, Norman Brand, made the following comments:
“Congratulations to the stewards of the Thame Road Race for their courteous supervision of the traffic and hundreds of runners at the Towersey Road/by pass junction on Sunday. And shame on the bullying motorist who overtook several patient, stationary cars and slowly forced his way past a woman steward who had the anxious task of looking out for competitors and at the same time avoiding being mown down. This driver called out: ‘We’ve got people waiting for us.’ He must have had tremendous faith in the road system if he did not plan the possibility of a short delay into his journey. He might have encountered a traffic jam, for instance. The woman steward acted with great presence of mind, not to mention bravery. Perhaps a suitable penance would be for the driver to encounter her socially some time: at a parents’ evening maybe, or the National Trust, or a hospital waiting room: better still, the dentist’s. Where would he put himself?

Full times and placing on Thame Runners’ website:
Link

Photo By Rob Wheal, Thame

THIS year’s Thame 10K race, sponsored by Thame Runners, will raise money for Martin Gadd, (Gadget).
A special low, entry fee of