They say in the footballing world a sign of a good team is getting something out of a game when not playing well, and that proved to be the case when Thame United travelled to Holloway Park to take on Beaconsfield Town in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One. Manager Ben Williams made a couple of changes to the team that won last weekend, Centre Back Aaron white made his debut, Jack Tutton came in for Ollie Hogg who dropped to the bench.

The home side we immediately onto the attack, with former Thame player and Beaconsfield captain Matty Harriot having a shot deflected wide for a corner and then from the resulting ball in a header went over the bar. Thame were under pressure from the Beaconsfield front line another attempted header was just over the bar and a free kick was just wide, it was far to say in the opening period Thame were hanging on and hadn’t got into the game at all. Mean while at the other end, Harry Alexander had a couple of chances which were over the bar and a free kick from Dad West was blocked, and another free kick was given for handball, this time the shot rolled tamely through to the keeper. As the half drew to a close the best chance of the match fell to Beaconsfield, another shot was well saved by Keeper Crowther as the rebound came out it fell kindly to the home sides centre forward but his shot rebounds off the underside of the crossbar and was cleared away. There was one more chance for Thame with another free kick in a central position just outside the box, Dan West rolled the ball to Harry Alexander but his shot was off target. The home side were dominating the match with former Thame player Harriot running the midfield, the visitors were fortunate to going half time level.

The second half got under way the first real chance of the half fell to Thames Tom McElroy, but his shot was saved by the Beaconsfield Keeper, at the other end more chances for the home side, first a shot was blocked, then keeper Crowther tipped a shot just round the post. Thame were forced to make a substitute on 66 minutes when centre back Aaron White went down in the box, holding his ankle. Jefferson Louis came on with a change in formation to accommodate the switch. Thame made two more subs with both Greg Hacket who had earlier been booked replaced by Brayden Daniels and Harry Alexander replaced by Curtis Brown. As the half went on Thame finally starter to get into the game and were pushing the home side back, and starting to trouble the home sides defence, as chances started to come, the visitors were unlucky with two penalty shouts, firstly Jack Tutton looked to have been bundled over in the six yard box attempting to get on the end of a cross, then Matt West was bought down in the box but the referee deemed, the Thame player had committed a foul beforehand, it seemed a very harsh decision, and to make matters worse Dan West was booked for it. Beaconsfield were now playing on the counter attack with Jefferson Louis and Tom McElroy causing the centre backs problems and the midfield were now winning the second balls. The corner count was rising for Thame as well, and it was from one of these that the only goal of the game was scored. Mark Riddick also had a good chance stooping to head a low cross, but the keeper pulled off a good one handed save. A corner in the 88th minute on the left from Brayden Daniel was taken short to Curtis Brown who wasn’t picked up and from the edge of the 18 yard box curled a right footed shot passed the keeper into the top corner of the goal. There were wild celebrations from the Thame players with Brown being booked for removing his shirt. The goal seemed to deflate the home side after having so much possession and chances and with only 4 minutes of added time. Thame easily saw out the victory, to take the three points. A game that last season the side would have lost but the resilience and determination of the players to get something out of the game even though not at their best was a credit to the team.

The win keeps the team in fifth place in the table and with the eleventh win of the season it matches the total number of wins for the entire 2023 / 2024 season.

Goals
Curtis Brown - 88 minutes

Starting Eleven
1.Matty Crowther
2.Josh Stranks
3.Oscar Lucey
4.Mark Riddick (C)
5.Fin Murray
6.Jack Tutton
7.Greg Hackett (Curtis Brown 68 minutes)
8. Aaron White (Jefferson Louis 66 minutes)
9.Tom McElroy
10.Dan West
11.Harry Alexander (Brayden Daniel 68 minutes)

Substitutes
12.Brayden Daniel
14.Jefferson Louis
15.Ollie Hogg
16.Curtis Brown
13. Archie Davis