Thame United made the 200 mile round trip to Somerset to face Western League side Clevedon Town in the Preliminary round of the Emirates FA cup. It was Thames first outing in this seasons cup competition after their league position last season meant missing the Extra Preliminary Round. Clevedon, having entered into the competition at the first stage overcame fellow Oxfordshire side Kidlington after a replay and were having a good league campaign sitting third in the league having won four from four so far this season. Meanwhile Thame United were playing catch up in competitive fixtures this season, this being only their third match and still looking for their first win. Manager Ben Williams made one change to the midweek defeat to Leighton Town, with Dan Forde coming in up front with Ethan Harry Alexander dropping to the bench.

Thame started the game kicking from left to right, into a strong head wind, but with the sun behind them and made the early running with the first attempt on goal a shot from outside the area from Dan Forde comfortably saved by the Clevedon keeper. At the other end the referee waved away a penalty should for the home side after a coming together in the box. On 16 minutes Clevedon were awarded a free kick on the edge of the right hand side of the box, when Lewis Thorne was alleged to have handled the ball, after the referee consulted the Assistant Referee it was deemed to be outside the box. From the resultant kick keeper Matty Crowther made a decent save pushing the shot away from goal. Thame started to grow into the game and were pressing the home team all over the pitch, winning the second balls and making it difficult for Clevedon to create any opportunities. Thame were creating chances, Curtis Brown and Dan Forde were causing the home sides defence some problems and both missed good chances, Loius Walsh also had chances one saved by the Clevedon keeper and on 40 minutes was in on goal but missed the target. As the half drew to a close it was Thame that took a deserved lead, good work on the left hand side by Louis Walsh who picked up the ball drove to the by line and crossed into the six yard box, where it was met by Jenson Wright, running in to volley the ball into the net for Thames first and his first for the club. The game restarted and the referee blew for half time with the visitors 1 - 0 to the good and good valley for the lead.

Clevedon got the second half underway, Thame were immediately on the front foot and pushing the home side back and it wasn't long before Thame got their second, on 50 minutes, Thame won the ball back in their own half on the right, a pass into midfield found Jack Tutton, who switched the ball out to Louis Walsh on the left, he drove at the full back cut inside and fired a fierce right footed shot from the edge of the box with the keeper stranded. Thame were in control and continued to press forward, leaving Clevedon only options to counter attack the visitors. Curtis Brown missed a good chance to extend the lead but his strong run into the box was blocked before he could get his shot away. Against the run of play on 56 minutes Clevedon pulled a goal back, winning a corner from a break on their right. As the ball was floated in a lapse in the defence allowed the centre back a free header on the edge of the six yard box to beat keeper Crowther. The goal gave the home side a new lease of life and continued to push forward winning a couple of free kicks resulting in headers going wide.

Thames first Substitutes of the game came on 65 minutes with Harry Alexander and Greg Hackett replacing Curtis Brown and Dan Forde, with Ethan Lack replacing goalscorer Jenson Wright who had put in a good shift. Thame thought they had a third when captain Mark Riddick bundled the ball over the line from a cross from the right wing, but the Assistant Referee flagged for off side, the decision did look a bit harsh. Thame were on top and continued press forward, with a shot from Harry Alexander just wide and Louis Walsh effort saved by the Clevedon keeper. As time ran down, we saw the new goal keeper 8 second rule come into action, after picking up the ball the Clevedon keeper kept hold of the ball for more than 8 seconds, claiming a Thame player was blocking him, but the referee applied the new law and gave Thame a corner.

As the clocked ticked onto 90 minutes, Thame won a throw in on their left side, taken by Lewis Thorne, it was headed across goal by Gregg Hackett, and bounced over the left back head, the ball falling for Harry Alexander to knock the ball back across goal into the net, leaving the keeper no chance. Thame made their final substitutes in injury time, with Abu Khan and Ty Njugo coming on for Jack Tutton and Lewis Thorne. After 6 minutes of added time the final whistle went with Thame coming away with a deserved victory and progress to the 1st Qualifying Round with the draw to be made on Monday, this round see the introduction of the step three teams with ties to be played on 30 August.

Man of the match
Louise Walsh

Goals
Jenson Wright (46 minutes)
Louis Walsh (50 minutes)
Harry Alexander (89 minutes)

Starting Eleven

1 Matthew Phillip Crowther
2 Callum Foday Hall
3 Lewis George Thorne (85 minutes Abu Khan)
4 Finlay Edward Murray
5 Jack Tutton (85 minutesTy Njogu)
6 Mark Thomas Riddick (Captain)
7 Curtis Brown (66 minutes Greg Hackett)
8 Jenson Wright (75 minutes Ethan Lack)
9 Dan Forde (66 minutes Harry Alexander)
10 Daniel James West
11 Louis Walsh

Substitutes

12 Abuzar Waqass Khan
14 Ethan Lack
15 Tyrae George Njogu
16 Lance Benjamin Williams
17 Harry Alexander
13 Reece Papas