Category: Sports News

IT was payback time on Saturday (07/09) when Thame Utd recorded their highest scoring home win at the ASM Stadium by defeating Carterton 8-0 in an FA Vase qualifier.

Back in August 2006, Carterton thrashed Thame United 6-0 in a Hellenic Premier League match. Since then, the fortunes of the two clubs have changed and Carterton are currently in the lower reaches of Hellenic League Division One, West. A win was expected, but you can often throw the form book away when it comes to cup matches. This match however was no giant killing: it was more like an annihilation, with United scoring six goals in the first half.

The game saw the return of Luke Ricketts to the starting line up, whilst Lynton Goss played on the right wing, allowing Ben Connelly to move into midfield. The returning Lewis Cordice was also in the line up whist new signing, Simon Lynn, was on the bench, and came on in the second half.

After the initial exchanges, Thame controlled the game and went ahead in the 10th minute when Ellis Hercules played a through ball to Cordice who ran at goal, skilfully dribbled round the on-coming Keeper, and tapped the ball into an open goal. On 22 minutes Ricketts hit a long ball to Taylor Collins who intelligently lobbed the ball into the goal over the keepers head from 25-yards. The score was 3-0 two minutes later when Collins went for goal from a free kick, and the keeper parried the shot to Cordice who finished well from five yards. Thame’s spectacular forth goal, which was the best of the match, and will be a strong contender for goal of the season, was scored by full back, Ian Pykett, with a blistering 35-yard shot which went in off the crossbar. 

Cordice completed his hat trick from an acute angle in the 31st minute. Ten minutes later Matt Willett provided a perfect cross to Ben Connelly who confidently headed the ball home from eight yards.

A few minutes into the second half, Faulkner and Lynn came on to replace Hercules and Goss. Faulkner added his name to the growing list of scorers in the 53rd minute when he met a Cordice cross with a thundering 10-yard shot into the roof of the net. A few minutes later Carterton went down to 10 men when Jacob Dayol was dismissed for dissent. Thame’s final goal came with 15 minutes remaining when a Faulkner header hit the post and Rickets collected the rebound to fire home.

Thame will meet stiffer opposition in the next round when they travel to Woking-based Westfield FC on September 21. Their opponents play in the Combined Counties Premier division and have won their last five games, one of them an FA Cup game against Tuesday’s victors at the ASM Stadium, Shrivenham.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett, I Pykett, Hercules (Lynn), Rhodes, Goss (Faulkner), Connelly, Lynch, Collins (Sykes), Cordice, Ricketts.

United travel to Newbury next Saturday (14/09)and the reserves begin their campaign with a home game against Rayners Lane (3pm kick off). The next first team match at the ASM Stadium is on Tuesday, September 17, when Oxford City Nomads are the visitors (7.45pm kick off).

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon
PHOTO: Thame Utd’s Manager, Mark West

THAME Town Cricket Club’s Firsts produced an excellent all-round performance on Saturday (31/09) at Church Meadow, to finish their home season with a win against second placed Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Fielding first, the home side exerted pressure from the start and didn’t let the Shipton batsmen start to build any partnerships. Thame’s bowling has been good all season and the addition of the experienced John Maynard and Will Rooney has provided them with a real cutting edge. However it was two stalwarts in Sam Lachlan and Mike Higgs who, with Maynard, reduced Shipton to 133 all out in the 39th over. Lachlan took three for 48, including the dangerous Jason Hunt and Simon Hole, whilst Higgs had excellent figures of three for seven, off six overs, and Maynard took four for 35.

When Thame batted, they got off to a quick start with Mike Higgs hitting 31, and James Neilson batted well for his 43. Ed Barnett hit 25, and it was left to Deon Laubscher to see the Thame home with 18 not out in the 29th over.

Whilst Horspath have already taken the promotion place in the League, this result leaves Thame third, just behind Shipton, with one game of the season left – away at Leighton Buzzard on Saturday.

The Seconds lost away to Leighton Buzzard, despite Richard Carr hitting another 50, and the Thirds lost at home to a strong Oxford side, with only Ben Warwick (54) making a good score in Thame’s 134.

CONTRIBUTED by Angus Lachlan

THAME United met their first home loss of the season on Tuesday evening (03/09) when they were defeated 1-2 by Shrivenham. With Thame in fifth League place and the visitors in 15th, a Thame win was anticipated but, although they had more possession, and much of the game was played in the visitor’s half, United were unable to penetrate the well organised Shrivenham defence, even after they went down to 10 men.

Both goalkeepers were in action in the first five minutes, Lee Farrow making a good save direct from a free kick and the visiting keeper stopping a strong Nik Rhodes header. Minutes later, Ellis Hercules met a corner with a goal bound header, which was cleared off the line by a defender. Thame were controlling much of the play, but Shrivenham looked dangerous ‘on the break’. The visitors went ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after Rhodes was judged to have fouled in the area. It was an incident which surprised both the spectators and players, as Nik appeared to make a fair tackle. Even the visiting officials were mystified by the decision. 

Visiting captain, Matty Bown, took the penalty well, giving Farrow no chance. Shrivenham increased their lead a minute before the break when Richard Miles volleyed in a cross from the left. Just before the half time whistle blew Taylor Collins forced a good save from the visiting keeper.

The game became increasingly bad tempered in the second half. Thame’s goal came in the 58th minute when Naill Hodgkins headed home a Collins free kick from close range. Shrivenham went down to 10 men with about 25 minutes remaining when Dave Coleman received a straight red for a bad tackle. United fought hard for an equaliser but they were rarely able to get behind the visitors’ defence and get crosses over. In the final minute Farrow left his goal to join his colleagues for a corner but when the ball fell to him, his shot was high.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett, P Pykett (I Pykett) Hercules, Rhodes, Jewell (Cordice), Connelly, Lynch, Hodgkins, Collins, Goss.

United play at the ASM Stadium again next Saturday, September 7, when they face Carterton in the FA Vase.

HADDENHAM Runners have had a great 2013 season so far, and to celebrate they are extending their Free Membership deal into Autumn, and are intending to continue running through into winter with modified routes to suit.

The usual faces will be on hand with a wealth of experience, including Dave ‘Lewis’ Collins, Rob ‘Smurf’ Atkin, Chairman Steve ‘Floella’ Benjamin and Graham ‘The smuggler’ Turner (Don’t ask!).

Club spokesman, Pete McDermott, said in the club’s latest report: “The club has seen recent interest from local celebrity ‘The Thamensian’ who has expressed an interest in their activities. The club would be honored to have such a respected guest, who if he or she so wishes can run in disguise to keep their anonymity. Pink underpants are optional.

“The club would like to thank the Kings Head in Haddenham for their continued hospitality and warm welcome this year, and to thank all the members for their continued hard work and dedication.

“Haddenham Runners always welcome old and new faces. So if you fancy a run, come down to the Cricket club car park in Cuddington, for 7pm on Thursdays.”

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Angus Lochlan – Thame Town Firsts vs Twyford Firsts – Saturday, August 24, 2013.

Thame’s good run in the Cherwell League Division One, came to an end on Saturday as they lost by 30 runs to Twyford at Church Meadow.

The game started well for Thame as their tight bowling had the visitors in trouble, eventually dismissing them for 117 on a rain affected pitch. John Maynard took three for 27, and only Lyon managed a score for Twyford, hitting 47.

When Thame batted after a rain break, they got to 47 for three, with Phil Soni scoring 27. But Afzal’s spin from one end continued to make in-roads into the Thame batting, and the only other batsman to cope was Ali Thomas who was 28 not out when the last wicket went down at 87.

Despite this loss, Thame remain third in the table, with two weekends remaining till the end of the season.

Thame Seconds vs Cumnor Seconds

THE Seconds nearly secured victory at Cumnor, scoring 250 for seven, with Richard Carr hitting 97, and Tom Collis 61. Cumnor were reduced to 211 for nine as Thame strove for the victory that, in the end, eluded them. 

A Thame team won the Dinton Sixes on Bank Holiday Monday – the first time the Club had competed in this friendly event for several years.

THAME United recorded their first win of the season at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (24/08), when they defeated Holyport 2-0. The visitors had, up to then, had an indifferent start to their season having won one game and lost two.

This result lifts Thame from 15th to 11th place in the league. All three newcomers, Lynton Goss, Ollie Lynch and Taylor Collins, have settled into the side well and made a major contribution to the result.

After an even start, Thame started to win more of the ball and threaten the visitors’ goal. The opening goal came on eight minutes when the promising Collins beat his marker then ran at goal before passing to the unmarked Ben Connelly, who controlled the ball well, and hit a strong 10-yard shot which received a deflection off a defender on its way into the goal. 

Thame controlled the remainder of the half with goalkeeper Lee Farrow rarely tested, although he was forced to make a good save seconds before the half time whistle blew.

Three minutes after the restart, Collins created a good scoring opportunity for Niall Hodgkins but he was hacked down as he shot, and his effort was wide. Referee Blanch immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Captain Nik Rhodes placed the spot kick well but it was saved by the visiting keeper. 

Thame were playing well with Matt Willett and Connelly interchanging to provide a constant threat from the right. United’s second came in the 61st minute when Lynch found Goss on the left who beat his man and ran to the by-line before cutting back and striking a well placed 10-yard shot which, once again, hit a defender before crossing the goal-line. Job done! 

Substitutions were made to replace tired legs and it was good to see the home return of Luke Ricketts after several months out through injury. The remainder of the game was without incident as Thame cruised to their first win.

Thame United: Lee Farrow, Willett, I Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Jewell, Connelly (Ricketts), Lynch, Hodgkins (Green), Collins, Goss (Dell).

Thame entertain Newbury on Bank Holiday Monday. They will be playing away next Saturday, August 31, when they meet league newcomers Brimscombe and Thrupp.

MATCH REPORT – FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round; Ardley United 4, Thame United 1 – 17/08/13. THERE will be no FA Cup run for Thame United this season after they were defeated 4-1 at Ardley United an Saturday. 

Although the score flattered the home side, Thame did not play well and it was one of those games they should learn from, and then quickly forget. The game was played in a gusting wind with rain showers.

The opening exchanges were even, with half chances at both ends. After about 10 minutes Ollie Lynch hit a 25-yard shot which was narrowly wide of the target. The home side took the lead in the 22nd minute when Ryan Brooks beat his defender and ran at goal before hitting a powerful shot which Lee Farrow did well to parry, but Darren Beckett picked up the loose ball and finished from close range. Thame were ‘on the back foot’ for a while as they struggled to penetrate the home side’s midfield. It was 1-0 at the break.

The visitors started the second half brightly and Lynch forced a good save from the home keeper. After seven minutes, Thame found the back of the Ardley net only to see the ‘goal’ ruled offside. Ardley increased their lead in the 53rd minute when a slick passing move split Thame’s defence and Troy Bryan hit an acute 10-Yard shot, giving Farrow no chance.

It was 3-0 ten minutes later when Ellis Hercules was harshly judged to have fouled Bryan in the box and Brooks scored from the penalty spot. The home side’s final goal came with five minutes remaining, when a shot hit the crossbar and Beckett picked up the rebound to slot home. Thame’s goal came in the final minute from a Taylor Collins corner which led to a goalmouth scramble and Lynch forced the ball home from close range.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, P Pykett, Rhodes, Hercules, Hayes, Connelly, Lynch, Dell (Collins), Hodgkins, Goss (Ricketts).

LEAGUE Home game: 13/08/13: Final score: Thame United 0, Flackwell Heath 0. MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon: THAME United gained their first point of the season at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening when they drew 0 – 0 with Flackwell Heath. 

The visitors had already trounced Kidlington 9 – 0 in their opening game of the season, and when the game started at Thame, were top of the league. Although the game was goalless, it was a joy to watch with both teams playing fast, attacking, open football.

Full of confidence, Flackwell dominated the first few minutes until the home side settled and both James Faulkner and Niall Hodgkins went close. Thame keeper, Lee Farrow, made two outstanding saves, one from a free kick which was deflected by Thame’s ‘wall’, and the other from a 10-yard shot.

Thame controlled the first part of the second half but as the half progressed, the visitors saw more of the ball and laid siege to the Thame goal for the final few minutes. United’s defence however was on form and Farrow was rarely troubled. 

Overall, it was a vastly entertaining game which Thame could have easily lost, but on the balance of play, a draw was a fair result.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett (I Pykett), P Pykett, Rhodes, Hercules, Jewell, Connelly, Lynch, Hodgkins (Dell), Faulkner (Gray), Goss.