Thame Rangers were not at their best today and gifted visitors Wokingham and Emmbrook with a two goal lead at the break but came out fighting with a better second half display to get a draw, the least they deserved out of the game.
With a keeper crises at Thame Rangers Manager, Craig Faulconbridge volunteered to wear the gloves in his first ever appearance between the posts. Rangers started the game well dominating territory and possession for long spells but lacked the invention to open up the visitor’s five man defence. Wokingham were happy to counter and from their first were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position that Faulconbridge punched clear. Chances were few and far between for both sides until on 35 minutes Wokingham were gifted their first goal when a defensive error allowed them to tap in from close range. Wokingham doubled their lead in similar fashion as another defensive error resulted in the same tap in before the break.
Rangers started the second half strong and reduced the deficit when Patrick Buston crossed from the left for Jordan Rogers to volley home. Within minutes Wokingham restored their two goal advantage and soon after Rangers scored their second when Buston headed home a Dan Hatton cross. Goals were coming thick and fast and Wokingham restored their two goal advantage again with an unchallenged header. Rangers responded well and Buston raced clear of Wokingham’s five man defence to volley over the visiting keeper from outside the box. It was all Rangers at this point and the pressure paid off when Finlay Murray smashed the equaliser home from the edge of the box.
Rangers could not find a winner and referee Steve Williams who had a great game in the middle blew for full time with the two gifted goals in the first half costing Rangers the victory.
Team:
Faulconbridge, Smith (Baxter), Elliott, Ashworth (Jesson), Davis, Elliott, Evans, Rogers, Buston, Hatton, Jed Desouza (Edwards-Giraud).