THE twelve match winning run had to come to an end at some point, and it did at the thirteenth game of asking at a damp and cold Riverside Park on Saturday (17/01/15).
And it was a much deserved victory for the home side as they completely nullified United’s normal game, and played with tenacity and no little skill in breaking down the United back line. The warning signs were apparent from the first minute when the ball flashed across the Thame goal, before United created, what ultimately turned out to be, their two best chances of the match.
First, after seven minutes, Ben Gray skewed an effort wide from eight yards when, well found by Luke Ricketts before, three minutes later, the same player’s goal bound effort was blocked. Thatcham then came forward, finding space down both flanks, and nearly took the lead on twenty minutes when a shot from 20 yards clipped the top of the bar. A short while later the home side took the lead when Matt Tapping in the Thame goal could only parry a shot into the path of Josh Stockwell who finished from close range.
For the remainder of the half it was Thatcham who enjoyed the majority of the possession, with United content to hit the home side on the break, but finding the centre back pairing of Hughes and Thomas in commanding form.
The second half opened with renewed urgency from United, and the home side were on the back foot for the first few minutes. However, the normal pattern of play was soon resumed and, when Ellis Hercules was adjudged to have handled the ball 25-yards from goal on 60 minutes, Stockwell stepped-up to place the free kick over the wall and into the far corner of the goal for a two-nil lead. Manager Mark West immediately made changes, moving to a back three, but Thatcham continued to dominate possession whilst United looked to get behind the Thatcham back line. Tapping then made a fine save to keep United in the game, whilst Luke Ricketts went closest for Thame on 80 minutes, placing an effort just wide from ten yards. Final score: Thatcham Town 2, Thame United 0.
As it was, the home side thoroughly deserved the victory and United will be looking to start another winning run on Saturday when Wootton Bassett Town are the visitors to the ASM Stadium.
THAME Youth Under 12s football team has achieved the remarkable feat of going 364 days unbeaten – before losing the Penn and Tyler’s Green on Sunday, January 11. Prior to the weekend, the last time the team lost a game in the league was on January 12, 2014, against Downley Dynamos Colts.
During that time the team have played 18 games, winning 17, and drawing one – scoring 111 goals in the process. The team has been promoted twice during their unbeaten run. They’ve also played four friendlies in the same period, and won all four. The only blemish on the record is the team’s heartbreaking defeat in the cup final against Aylesbury United Juniors – a 4-4 draw that Thame lost in a penalty shoot-out after extra time.
The team captain, James ‘Jammy’ Fahey said: “We have a good team spirit, and everyone tries their best to get better. It’s nice to win, but we all love playing football whatever the result.”
The team manager Mark Britton said: “We are lucky to have a fantastic group of players. They are a talented bunch, but they have also worked very hard for their success. The undefeated run had to end sometime, and I’m very proud of the way they play great team football, and support each other no matter what the result.”
WITH both sides coming in to the fixture in good form an entertaining match was anticipated, and so it proved to be on Saturday (10/01), when Thame Utd beat Bracknell town 2 – 0.
Playing with the strong breeze in the first half, it was the visitors who started the strongest and for much of the opening ten minutes United were unable to secure any meaningful possession in the opponents half. When they did, however, Captain, Adam Morris, went close with a 20-yard drive on 10 minutes before, three minutes later, Luke Ricketts burst in to the box but was well tackled as he was about to shoot. Ben Gray volleyed over shortly afterwards, but the opening goal arrived on 16 minutes when Gray scored from close range. Bracknell then pressed and, on 26 minutes, a Sam Whiting free-kick for the visitors crashed off the post from 25 yards after a foul by Ollie Lynch.
Whilst Bracknell continued to press, United went close to extending the lead in the final five minutes of the half, first via a Gray header that went over from a Ricketts cross, and then a Dan West drive two minutes later.
United opened the second half in more determined mood, pressing their opponents and, as a consequence, enjoyed more possession. However, opportunities for both sides were limited, with Tapping in the Thame goal doing well to smoother a couple of shots, and United unable to trouble Aulsberry in the Bracknell goal. Nevertheless, on 75 minutes, United won a corner and Dan Jones, who had worked tirelessly all game, crossed for Ellis Hercules to head home from eight yards. The same routine nearly worked twice more in the next five minutes, but Hercules was unable to find the back of the net. A Morris effort was then blocked before a West cross evaded the on-running strikers and was cleared.
As it was, United held on in the last few minutes to claim their 12th consecutive league win – a win that maintained their fourth place position but saw them close the gap on Highmoor Ibis and Kidlington who drew in a top of the table clash.
United: Tapping, Evans, Hall, Hercules, Mulholland, Lynch, Jones (Kedzierski), Morris, Gray (Hodgkins), West (Gledhill), Ricketts.
IN a mud caked contest, visitors Chinnor RFC overcame Dorking by the narrowest of margins, prevailing 6-5 at the Big Field. In successive weeks, Chinnor have now beaten the top two teams in the league.
Jake Olley, ‘ a beacon of light in an otherwise dull, dank day’
This was a match in which the opposition for both sides was principally the weather and the pitch. The side that understood this best, and played accordingly, was Chinnor whose accommodation in play due to the severe conditions was intelligent. Dorking tried to play in their customary adventurous style but came rather unstuck or perhaps too stuck.
Dorking scored early on with an unconverted try in the corner from Mike Duxbury. Chinnor played territory with very intelligent use of the boot to keep the home side pinned back in their own half for much of the match. Angell scored from two of his three penalty goal attempts in the first half to allow the visitors from Oxfordshire a 6-5 half time lead.
Although the rain actually stopped in the second half, the game was largely a grappling contest with Chinnor’s defence resolute with To’oala, Manning and Long particularly industrious. Dorking had little success with any of their kicks, often failing to make an intended touch. The Chinnor side, which in recent weeks has become the Chinnor team, comfortably held out all comers to convert the half time score into the full time score as no points at all were scored by either side in the second half. This was a tough whole team performance by the Oxfordshire boys. However, the positioning, kicking and running of Chinnor full back Jake Olley was a beacon of light in an otherwise dull, dank day.
THAME United secured a club record on Saturday (27/12) with its 11th consecutive league victory in a relatively comfortable win against Oxford City Nomads.
Going in to the game, Manager Mark West made a couple of changes to the side, with goalkeeper Matt Tapping making his debut for the first team and Conor McDonagh returning up front. And it was United who were quickest out of the blocks with an Adam Morris free kick from 25 yards going just wide after two minutes. The Nomads, who throughout looked to play the ball from the back, were unable to get in to the game, and United nearly took the lead on nine minutes when a delightful cross from Ben Gray was met by a glancing header just wide from Dan West.
The visitors then started to press, without really testing Tapping, and McDonagh, West and Morris all combined well to almost break the deadlock on 20 minutes. That duly arrived on 24 minutes when the Nomads failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Morris on the edge of the box, whose powerful left-footed drive gave the keeper no chance. Whilst the Nomads increasingly saw more of the ball, they were still unable to penetrate a well-marshalled home defence and, before the first half was over, both McDonagh and Gray went close to extending the lead.
United started the second half the stronger of the two sides, but Tapping was called in to action on 51 minutes when he acrobatically pushed over a drive from 25 yards. Ellis Hercules then had a header cleared off the line from a Luke Ricketts corner before, on 57 minutes, a West drive was deflected wide. Mid-way through the half Dan Jones replaced Gray and a short while later it was 2-0 when West capitalised on a defensive error before calmly placing the ball wide of the visiting keeper. It was nearly 3-0 on 78 minutes when McDonagh, through on goal, saw his shot agonizingly shave the outside of the post. Then, on 85 minutes, substitute Niall Hodgkins played the ball through to Ricketts whose effort cleared the bar. This, as it transpired, was something of a recurring theme as a West effort three minutes later ended with a similar outcome. Nevertheless, by this stage it was game over as United held on for another three valuable points.
Thame United 2 Oxford City Nomads 0
The win moves United up to third ahead of the home fixture on Saturday, January 3, 2015, against Ardley United.
IN a pulsating local derby, Chinnor RFC overcame Henley Hawks for the first time ever in a league match, to record a 28-21 victory at Kingsey Road, raucously and rapturously received by the largest crowd of many years.
Photo courtesy of Dave Winpenny
The first half was a tense and well contested affair with most of the play in the middle of the pitch as both sides struggled for superiority. Chinnor struck first after a sharp rolling maul. Angell stepped in to snatch the ball from the back and was driven over for Chinnor’s first try of the day. Keohane’s extras put the home side ahead 7-0 on 7 minutes. Comben struck two penalty goals for Henley but missed two others to make the half time score 7-6 to the home side.
The second half was in sharp contrast to the first – with end to end play and as many opportunities spurned as taken. Shortly after the restart, Jack Hayes scored Chinnor’s second try under the posts after a delightful flick pass from Fatialofa. Keohane’s conversion increased the Chinnor lead to 14-6. Chinnor were beginning to show growing superiority when Long was yellow carded. This only served to spur Chinnor on as Haile burst through the middle. His pass to the surprisingly speedy prop Cambareri was transferred at pace for Manning to touch down to increase the Chinnor lead to 19-6.
Keohane further increased the Chinnor lead to 25-6 with two well struck penalty goals. Henley upped their game and bursting through tackles, scored two tries in two minutes from Murphy and Hirskji-Douglas in the 69th and 71st minutes. Comben converted one to close the score to 25-18. Henley then seemed to find extra territory and pace as they strove to close the gap still further. However, Chinnor took some of the steam out of their efforts with a penalty goal from Keohane on 75 minutes to increase the home lead to 28-18. With two minutes to play, Henley took the pragmatic decision to go for goal from a penalty on the 10 metre line for a losing bonus point. Murphy’s kick was good and reduced the gap to 28-21. Henley continued to press for the last two minutes but the Chinnor defence held firm for a notable Chinnor victory, 28-21.
The key to Chinnor’s victory was their desire to win. Their speedy and hefty tackling in the first half stopped Henley gaining the fluency for which they are renowned. As a result, much of the first half was stalemate as Henley attempted to get their game going as much as Chinnor were determined to stop them. For this, Chinnor were fortunate to have a back row of high energy and impact. The trio of Tibbatts, Long and To’oala were highly destructive and every Henley player must have woken up with bruises on Sunday – particularly those who had not benefitted from meeting Alfie first time round at Dry Leas, due to his early departure from that match. The back row were augmented by a second row that played in the loose like a second back row – Ben Manning always seeming to be in the right place at the right time to tackle or carry the ball. The front row were solid at scrum time with Cano prominent. His colleagues, Williams and Camareri were very mobile and Camareri, popping up in the 13 channel showed the speed and skill necessary of that position to put Manning in for the third try.
Henley could not find a way through and the normally reliable Comben was off target for several penalty goal attempts. Things changed in the last quarter for Henley with the introduction of replacements Hirskij-Douglas (a former Chinnor player) and Connor Murphy. Murphy was the difference between the sides first time round at Henley. He made an immediate difference to the pace and direction of the Henley attack and was instrumental in both of their tries. He even took the long range (and most pragmatic) successful penalty kick at the end of the match to gain a losing bonus point. His continuing availability (dually registered with London Irish) may be most significant in Henley’s promotion run-in.
Chinnor’s backs deserve plaudits for their aggressive defence with the crowd mistaking Fatialofa for an Exocet missile at times. They also showed great invention. Hayes’ try came from a delightful feint and flick pass from Fatialofa that bewildered the opposition. Keohane, strangely selected at wing, was most reliable from the tee and did much good work from an unusual area of the park.
In this famous victory, every player had claims as star player but perhaps Ben Manning’s omnipresence gives him the laurels marginally ahead of Ryan Long and Junior Fatialofa.
And a word for the huge crowd whose enthusiastic support did much to make the occasion even better. And, in case you missed the match score: Chinnor 28 Henley 21.
Heady days.
Teams: Chinnor: Jake Olley, George Blewitt, Jack Hayes, Junior Fatialofa, Ed Keohane, Sam Angell, Frank Jones, Ricardo Cano, Locryn Williams, Guido Cambareri, Ben Manning, Toby Salmon, Andy Tibbatts, Ryan Long. Alfie To’oala
Interchanges: David Coutts, Dave McKee, Loti Molitika, Reece Boughton, Reuben Haile
Henley: Tom Allen, Xavier Andre, George Eastwell, Fred Pierrepoint, Jake Randall, James Comben, Tom Parker, Tom West, Stuart Philpott, Jimmy Litchfield, Dave Clements (c), Will Woodward, Matt Payne, Tom Hall, Robbie Stapley
Interchanges: Hugo Milford-Scott, Dave Manning, Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, Ryan Newman, Dan Barnes
THAME United were knocked out of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup on Saturday (20/12) as Banbury-based, Easington Sports, deservedly progressed to the next round.
The home side, who prior to the game were second in Division 1 East, came in to the game with a clear plan, played to their strengths, and punished United accordingly. An indication of the afternoon to come for United came after only five minutes, when Cockerilll was forced to push a drive from Steve Howkins wide of the post. The respite, however, was only short lived as the home side took the lead on 10 minutes. A cross field pass to Connor Grant was hit first time by the winger from 25 yards and flew past Cockerill. It was two five minutes later when a corner from the left was forced home at the far post by Andrew Stidder.
At this stage, United had done little going forward, but they got themselves back in to the game on 26 minutes when after a free kick had been cleared, Ollie Lynch put the ball back in to the box for Ellis Hercules to head home. Cockerill then made a good double-save on 29 minutes to keep the score unchanged going in to the break.
United came out strongly at the start of the second half, and they got themselves back in the game on 56 minutes when their best move of the game, involving Adam Morris and Alex Kedzierski, led to the latter crossing for Dan West to stroke home. Having hauled themselves back in to the game and in the ascendancy, United then gave away a third goal two minutes later when a corner from the left was headed in off the underside of the bar at the near post. It was four ten minutes later when a clearance from Cockerill was knocked back in to the Thame half to Howkins whose first time lob sailed over Cockerill and in to the back of the net. Shortly afterwards it was five as a well placed shot from 20 yards by Pete Moulder beat Cockerill.
Any prospect of United getting back in to the game ended on 76 minutes when a Dan West penalty, following a foul on Dan Jones, was saved by the home keeper, and despite pressing forward, United were unable to get back in to the game for a second time. Final score: Easington Sports 5 Thame United 2
RACQUETS’ first team squash players will be challenging the South African Knights squash team, a group of talented young South African University players, tomorrow, December 19.
The South African Knights squash tour team – Photo courtesy of Stefanos Garas
Simon Martin, who manages Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame, said: “The African Knights squash tour 2014, hits Thame on Friday and we are inviting people to come down to the club, to watch some top squash with these budding professional university students from South Africa and to make an evening of it by bringing their own steak and letting our chef cook it for them, just as they like it.”
THAME United progressed to the next round of the Challenge Cup with a relatively comfortable victory against Division One East side, Headington Amateurs, on Saturday, with a final score of Thame United 4, Headington Amateurs 2.
Andy Gledhill, who scored his first competitive goal for Thame United on Saturday, against Headington Amateurs
Played in near perfect conditions, United started the stronger of the two sides and, for the first five minutes, the visitors were unable to get out of their half. However, when they did, they nearly took the lead as Josh Cockerill pushed an effort on to the post on seven minutes. With United then pushing forward, they took the lead on 23 minutes when, after good inter-play down the Thame right between Calvin Evans and Dan Jones, the latter centred the ball for Andy Gledhill who finished confidently from six yards for his first competitive goal for the Club. His second arrived only three minutes later when Jones again crossed from the right, and Gledhill headed in to the far corner. Then, on 29 minutes, United scored their third as a Jones corner was met by the head of Jon Coverley and the ball flew in to the goal.
At this stage, United were in complete control and, before the break, they could have extended the lead further, firstly through Luke Ricketts, whose effort was deflected over, and then by Coverley whose header from a Jones corner was clawed away by the visiting keeper.
As it was it remained 3-0 to United at the break and, inside the first minute of the second half, they nearly extended the league when a Jones volley from the edge of the box went just wide. Nevertheless, on 53 minutes the fourth goal arrived when Alex Kedzierski played the ball through to Calvin Evans on the right, who weaved his way across the face of the penalty, beating three men in the process, before placing the ball wider of the visiting keeper.
With a comfortable lead at this stage, United took their foot off the pedal, and former United player, Paul Hedger, pulled a goal back for the visitors on 57 minutes. The same player then scored a second on 79 minutes, collecting the ball in space on the wide right, before placing his shot wide of Cockerill and into the far corner. Despite the goals, United continued to press forward and could have extended their lead but, in the event, there were no further goals and United progressed in to the next round of the competition.
(1) ADNL Div 4 26/11/14 – Hurricanes v Crendon Aces 44-21 – WEDNESDAY night saw Thame Hurricanes play against Long Crendon Aces. Beset by injuries, Crendon only had six players, but Thame knew they would still have a fight on their hands.
Thame came out very slowly from the first whistle and were behind the play for much of the first quarter. A team talk from coach Shelley Weeks saw a more aggressive start to the second quarter as Verity, Lucy and Lynn P started to chase down every loose ball and defenders Sue and Lyn tightened their game to intercept more balls. Hurricanes shooters Helen and Carol’s goal percentages went up and the play began to swing in Thame’s favour.
In the third quarter feisty centre court play and consistent defending saw the ball turned over as Thame used their free player successfully to widen the score line. Thame were able to use fresh legs from subs Chantelle and Emma to keep the pressure on right to the end.
Credit must go to all of the Crendon ladies who never gave up throughout the entire match and made Hurricanes work for their win.
Hurricanes will need a flying start and more pressure from all players from the off next week if they are to beat their team mates Cyclones in the same division.
Hurricanes Team: Carol S, Lucy S, Helen T, Chantelle, Verity P, Emma W, Lynn P, Sue F, Lyn H
(2) ADNL Div 4 -Thame Cyclones V Wingrave
THAME were prepared for a tough game from the beginning and the co-ordination between the team mates was excellent from the start. It was a fast paced game with a lot of smooth passes from the whole team, the first two quarters were very close with the second ending with Wingrave Comets only one net ahead. Then both teams became tired and Wingrave Comets gained a greater lead. Thame’s defence was very active over a strong attack. Some excellent goals from both GS and GA. The game ended on a disappointing 39-25 to Wingrave Comets, both teams played extremely well and determined it was a great game.
Cyclones Team: Amy S, Sam A, Ellie D, Kelly L, Megan C, Anna M, Lynne J, Katie V, Kelly S, Sarah H.
(3) ADNL Div 3 – Thame Tornadoes v Cherokees
THAME Tornadoes took to the court determined to return to their winning ways. Confident they could take the points Thame took an early lead, with shooters Heather and Hayley working well together in the circle. Excellent defensive play limited the goals scored by Cherokees and the first quarter ended 11 – 2 to Tornadoes. Cherokees had a better second quarter but Thame continued to play well. By capitalising on mistakes and making the most of turn-over balls Thame extended their lead to 20 – 9. With an ambitious target of 50 goals (set by Heather!) Thame took to the third quarter with fighting spirit. The Cherokees defence were also fighting hard which forced Thame to work the ball around the circle. Thame still had the edge and the quarter ended 29 – 16. With a slightly more realistic target of 40 goals (set by Shelley!) Thame were keen to finish the game on a high. Heather and Hayley continued to sink the goals and despite giving it everything they had a tired Cherokees just couldn’t do enough to catch the Tornadoes. Thame fell just short of their target but won the game convincingly. The final score was 39 – 22. Player of the Match = Heather P Muppet of the Match = Kirsty for her hilarious “helloooo” blunder! Tornadoes team: Heather, Hayley, Karen, Nic, Lisa, Sheena, Susie, Kirsty.
And it was a much deserved victory for the home side as they completely nullified United’s normal game, and played with tenacity and no little skill in breaking down the United back line. The warning signs were apparent from the first minute when the ball flashed across the Thame goal, before United created, what ultimately turned out to be, their two best chances of the match.
