Category: Sports News

AHEAD of Crendon Corinthians Youth Football Club starting their training for the 2014/15 season on Saturday, September 6, the club coaches are recruiting new players for all of their age groups and squads. The U9 squad, for Year four boys and girls, has been growing steadily over the past couple of years and their manager, Neil Yates from Thame, is keen to bring as many children into this team sport as possible.

“We have a lovely family ethic at the Crendon Corinthians and we pride ourselves on how we approach the game both on and off the pitch,” Neil explained. “We play attractive, flowing football and concentrate on playing the game fairly with respect for each-other, the opposition and officials.”

Crendon Corinthians U9 squad won the Fair Play Champions trophy for the second year running at Thame’s Festival of Football back in July, and are looking forward to another solid season in the Blue division of the South Bucks Mini Soccer Conference. “Winning the main trophy at the Festival of Football tournament for the second time in succession was a fantastic achievement and capped off a great season for us last year,” continued Neil. “The kids really deserved the recognition as they showed real character in adhering to the FA’s Fair Play rules throughout the campaign. Our goal is to provide a fun, safe and enjoyable environment for the children to learn football in – with a promise to develop every child’s technical, physical and social skills – and we are successfully delivering on that promise with members of the squad now being picked up by local soccer academies.

“For players who are interested in joining us, Crendon is a FA Charter Standard club. Our coaches are qualified FA badge holders and also parents who understand the needs of kids.”

The U9 subscription fees for this season are £70, including match shirt, training top, tournament entry fees and access to astro pitches in cold weather. Neil is offering free tasters of his Saturday morning training sessions (10:15 to 11:30) at Long Crendon School, for new and experienced players. Get in touch via email (yates_neil@hotmail.com), the club website ccfc.long-crendon.com/ or Twitter @crendoncorinthiansyfc

THAME  United maintained their 100% away record on Bank Holiday Monday (25/08), with a deserved 2-0 victory at Ardley United.

With Adam Morris and Dan Jones sidelined due to injuries picked-up against Reading Town on Saturday, manager Mark West brought in Calvin Evans on the right hand side, with Matt Hall moving in to midfield.

The opening period saw Ardley, playing down the pronounced slope, with the majority of possession but rarely threatening Cockerill in the Thame goal. Indeed, the first chance of the half fell to Conor McDonagh in the fourth minute who picked-up a back pass only to see his effort pushed around the post for a corner by Ardley keeper, Jack Harding. Former Thame player, Jon Gardner then had an effort saved by Cockerill before United took the lead in the 38th minute. A cross field ball from Dan West towards the edge of the box caused indecision between Harding and right back Darren Beckett, allowing Luke Ricketts to nip in and head the ball in to the back of the net. Ricketts nearly doubled the lead three minutes later when, after a run from the halfway line, his shot across goal was saved by Harding. The last action of the half saw Joe Eyre head over for Ardley from six yards out.

The first chance of the second half fell to United on 51 minutes as McDonagh made space on the left only to see his shot from a narrow angle parried by the keeper. Five minutes later and an effort from Ollie Lynch sailed over the bar from 20 yards, before, on 59 minutes, Dan West forced Harding to make another save. The second goal eventually arrived on 74 minutes when West pounced on a defensive error after a corner, and his cross was hit in to the roof of the net by Matt Hall.

For the remainder of the game Ardley pressed forward with United content to hit the opposition on the break. For all their possession, however, Ardley were unable to trouble Cockerill and United held on for their third away win of the season, and a welcome six points over the Bank Holiday period.

Hellenic League Premier Division-  Ardley United 0 Thame United 2

United: Cockerill, Willett, P Pykett, Hercules, Burrows, Lynch, Evans, Hall (Hurley), McDonagh (Gledhill), West, Ricketts.

THAME United secured their first home league win of the season on Saturday (23/8), when they deservedly picked-up three points against Reading Town.

After a quiet opening twenty minutes, United had the first effort on goal when Danny Jones cut in from the right and curled an effort from 20 yards that the keeper did well to push around the post. From the resultant corner, Conor McDonagh was unlucky to see his flicked effort go wide. Two minutes later and it was the visitors turn to apply some pressure to the home goal, with a Jos Millar effort clearing the bar.

Chances then came and went for Jones, McDonagh and Dan West before the deadlock was broken on 38 minutes. A through ball from left back Matt Hall put Jones in on goal and he confidently beat Eggleton in the Reading goal to give United a 1-0 half-time lead.

The visitors came out strongly in the second half and found an equaliser on 55 minutes when, after winning possession on the halfway line, the ball was fed through to striker Carl Davies who placed his shot wide of Josh Cockerill from 12 yards. Both sides then pushed for a winner, with Luke Ricketts on the left increasingly causing the visitors defence problems with his pace. The second goal for United arrived on 71 minutes when a clever pass from West put Jones through on goal, and he placed the ball in the bottom corner from 18 yards. Whilst United then had opportunities to extend their lead through Ricketts and McDonagh, they were thankful to Ellis Hercules for a last ditch tackle in the final few minutes that went some way to securing the three points.

Hellenic League Premier Division – Thame United 2 Reading Town 1

United: Cockerill, P Pykett, Hall, Hercules, Burrows (Willett), Lynch, Jones, (Evans) Morris (Gledhill), McDonagh, West, Ricketts.

THAME United were unable to bring an end to Flackwell Heath’s 100% record on Tuesday evening (19/08) as The Heathens ran out 3-1 winners to go top of the table.

The pattern of the match was similar to the opening game of the season against Highmoor Ibis, with United unable to make early chances pay, only to then find themselves chasing the game. As early as the first minute Conor McDonagh was put through on goal but was unable to get his shot away before and five minutes later the same player saw a 25-year shot tipped over the bar by Rob Bullivant. The next chance fell to Danny Jones on 15 minutes whose drive from the edge of the box was well saved by Bullivant.

The game changed in a five minute spell around the half hour when Flackwell went in to a two goal league. First, Mitchell Woodward finished from close range following a cross from the right and four minutes later Jeff Brown found himself unmarked on the edge of the six yard box and beat Cockerill with ease with a well placed header in to the corner of the goal.

If it was for United to chase the game in the second half, it was Flackwell Heath who started the brighter, with Cockerill getting down well to save low to his right on 47 minutes. Ten minutes later and former Holyport winger, Dan Rapley, curled the ball just over the bar.

United got back in to the game on 63 minutes when Luke Ricketts drove the ball in to the back of the net, via a deflection, from wide on the left. However, Flackwell Heath restored their two-goal advantage only two minutes later when Rapley got clear of his marker to chip the ball over the diving Cockerill. The next opportunity fell to captain Adam Morris whose effort from the edge of the box flew just wide.

Flackwell Heath then had the opportunity to open-up a three goal advantage when Adam Burows was adjudged to have fouled Woodward in the penalty area, but Cockerill, diving to his right, did well to save the spot-kick.

The result leaves United with 3 points from their opening three league games

United: Cockerill, Willett, (Hall), P Pykett, Hercules, Burrows, Lynch (Gledhill), Jones, Morris, McDonagh, West, Ricketts

THAME United progressed to the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday (16/08), beating Cove 1-0 in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, ending their hosts 100% start to the season.

Despite the M25 traffic doing its best to disrupt the team, it was United who started the stronger of the two sides, with the home team unable to find any rhythm. Indeed, the only goal of the game arrived after 11 minutes when Conor McDonagh turned on the halfway line and fed a ball through to Luke Ricketts who beat his marker before calming sliding the ball under the advancing home goalkeeper. It was nearly two five minutes later when Ricketts this time found McDonagh who put the ball in the back of the net only to be called back for off-side.

Manager Mark West was then forced in to making changes as Ian Pykett fell awkwardly and was replaced with Phil Pykett, but the changes did little to disrupt the match, with the only other significant action before half-time being another Ricketts effort that the home keeper parried for a corner.

As expected, the home side started the second half on the front foot but continued to be met by a resolute Thame side. In fact, outside of set pieces, Cove were largely ineffectual although mid-way through the half they went close with two headers from corners. United themselves were always dangerous on the break with McDonagh again feeding Ricketts whose effort was skewed just wide with 15 minutes to go. Whilst Cove continued to press, they created few opportunities and it was United who held on and progress to the next round, where they will face Highmoor Ibis at the ASM Stadium on August 30.

United: Cockerill, I Pykett (P Pykett), Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Mealing, Jones (Evans) , Morris, McDonagh (Burrows), West, Ricketts

THAME United came back from going a goal down early in the second half to secure their first points of the season in an end-to-end match at Larges Lane, Bracknell Town on Tuesday (August 12).

Manager Mark West reverted to a 4-4-2 formation following the defeat to Highmoor, with Marcus Mealing coming in to the front line, Danny Jones replacing the injured Ben Connelly on the wide right, and Martin Brown recalled to the centre back position. The result was a more attacking formation and if Saturday lacked in goalmouth action, this was more then made up for by a thoroughly entertaining match.

United, playing down the slope in the first half, controlled the first quarter of the game, with Conor McDonagh nearly breaking the deadlock after only 3 minutes when his 25-yard effort was pushed around the post. The next chance fell to Mealing who, following neat inter-play between Willett, McDonagh and Jones, saw his volley just clear the bar. McDonagh, who was causing the home defence all sorts of problems, then fired a low cross in to the near post that the home keeper, James Hawtree, did well to hold. Dan West then headed wide from a Jones free kick on 16 minutes.

At this point Bracknell started to get in to the game and, in the space of five minutes, keeper Josh Cockerill was forced to make three fine saves, doing well to push two efforts wide for a corner. United then went back in to the ascendancy with Mealing (twice), McDonagh and West all going close, before the last meaningful action of the half saw a Morris from kick from 25 yards deflected just wide.

Bracknell came out fired-up at the start of the second half and took the lead after 54 minutes when, following some neat passing on the edge of the Thame box, the ball fell to skipper Sam Whiting, who curled the ball in to the far corner beyond Cockerill. United hit back five minutes later when McDonagh beat his marker on the edge of the box and pulled the ball back for Luke Ricketts to score from close range. Two minutes later and a nasty bobble denied McDonagh a clear goal scoring opportunity.

As the game ebbed and flowed, it was United who ultimately found the winning goal on 75 minutes when McDonagh again did well to beat his marker on the right before rolling the ball across the six yard box to Mealing at the far post who finished confidently.

The action, however, was not over and for the last 10 minutes Bracknell forced United to defend in depth and in numbers, with Cockerill called-upon several times, including a particularly fine save with only four minutes to go. As it was, United held on to secure their first points of the season.

United: Cockerill, Willett, Hall, Hercules, Brown (Rhodes), Mealing, Jones (I Pykett), Morris, McDonagh (Gledhill), West, Ricketts

THAME United lost their first game of the season at the hands of Reading-based Highmoor Ibis at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (09/14)  following a 2-0 defeat.

It has now been five seasons since United registered a victory on the opening day of the season and whilst they opened the game brightly, they fell behind after only four minutes when hesitation in the defence enabled Jordan Brown to poke home from close range. For much of the half, United were unable to find their feet with the game contained in the central third of the field. With the game nearing half-time, Highmoor scored their second goal when a through ball was met by Reull Griffiths, who nipped in between Matt Hall and Josh Cockerill to finish.

United moved from a 4-4-1-1 formation to the more familiar 4-4-2 at half time, but the change initially had little impact on the game, which continued to see both sides generally cancelling each other out. Cockerill was called in to action 15 minutes in to the half, doing well to claw-away a goal bound effort, before United had their best period of play. Danny Jones, making his debut following his signing from Aylesbury United, curled an exquisite free kick in to the box that was met by the head of Ellis Hercules whose header just cleared the bar. Two minutes later and some good inter-play between Willett, McDonagh and Gledhill resulted in Jones playing the ball back to Ricketts whose effort from the edge of the box cleared the bar.

That was as good as it got for United as Highmoor closed out the game to take the points back to Berkshire.

United: Cockerill, Willett, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes (Brown), Jones, Connelly (Gledhill), Morris, McDonagh, West (Coverley), Ricketts.

 BACK in January, Thame.Net carried a tribute to outstanding, local sporting legend, Ray Hawes, who died in the United States, where he had moved to, and about a tribute cricket match to be played in his memory, this summer.

The cricket match took place at the end of June, at Thame Town Cricket Club, watched by over 100 of Ray’s old friends, and the Hawes family have written to Barry Yates, who helped organise the match, thanking everyone who helped arrange it – a match also intended as a tribute to another well-known sportsman and friend of Ray’s, Nigel Cassidy.

The letter and match report from family members –  Ray’s son Geoff played, together with his nephews Mike White, Steve & Simon Cooley. Nigel’s son Darren captained the opposition. Ray’s widow, Maureen had flown in from USA with her son and grandchildren. Two of  Ray’s three daughters and their children there  too:

“The Hawes family would like to thank Thame Cricket Club, everyone that helped arrange this cricket match and all those who came out to watch this memorial game to remember two great sportsman, Ray Hawes and Nigel Cassidy. A special thanks to Steve Cooley, Darren Cassidy, Mike Beaumont and Barry Yates.

“This was a great day. With many family and friends showing up at the Thame cricket ground, many of whom had not seen one another in years. Thanks to Richard Pineo (long time family friend) for a fine tea time speech.

“It was fitting that this game was played in the town Ray Hawes started his cricketing career. Ray attended Lord Williams’s Grammar School breaking many cricketing records in Thame. He was married to Maureen King in Thame Church in 1958 (the Kings are a prominent Thame family. Maureen’s Father, Harold King, was a former Thame Mayor) and they remained married for 55 years and so, with the church in the background, it was an emotional return to this cricket ground. We all missed seeing the face of John Wrench behind the bar (Godfather to Geoff Hawes). The Wrench family, have done so much for Thame Cricket Club over the years.

“Peter Beard, Long time friend of Ray and former First Team Captain of Thame C C, told us that he would pick Ray up in Crendon as he was too young to drive at the time. Ray started as a middle order batsmen and fast bowler. Pete promoted Dad to open the batting with him in 1960. They opened the batting together for seven years, scored many runs and Pete talked of an unbelievable understanding they shared. He went on to tell us the same story that many people in future years found out, that Ray Hawes was not only an outstanding cricketer, but a true sportsman. Cricket to Ray was not just a game but a place to build life lasting friendships.

“This first memorial game was played on June 29th, 2014, and was won by the Cassidy XI thanks largely to a fine unbeaten 139 by Robbie Eason, with support from his brother Will Eason with 58 not out. Many of us remember their Granddad, who was the headmaster at Long Crendon Primary School for many years and their Father, Max Eason, who worked for Hawes Farm Buildings at Brill. Congratulations Robbie on a Ray Hawes-like winning innings.

“The Hawes XI batted first and started in fine style with a Century from Mike Beaumont, and 91 from Russell Hayes (both Mike & Russell played with Ray at Aylesbury for years).

“The Hawes XI captained by Steve Cooley (Cousin of Simon Cooley and former Aylesbury First Team Captain, who took over the captaincy from Ray). Steve declared on 254, but this proved to be not enough, although the batting effort of the Cassidy XI, was helped in part by some interesting fielding by an aged Hawes XI!

“This was a great day with many people showing up to watch a close game of cricket played in a fantastic sporting spirit. Thanks again to all involved in this event.
We hope this will develop into an annual match to celebrate and remember the extraordinary lives of Ray Hawes and Nigel Cassidy.
The Hawes family.”