Thame made the journey back to Top Field on Wednesday night to play Hitchin Town in the Southern League Central Division One play off semi final, after beating Hitchin on Saturday they finished fifth, three points above Hertford Town and earnt the right to play second placed Hitchin, while in the other semi final Biggleswade FC hosted Biggleswade Town. Hitchin had made several changes to their team from Saturday, while Thame were unchanged The Top Field pitch was in excellent condition and was a credit to the grounds staff who had produced such a good playing surface, it was a warm evening and a crowd of over 1200 had turned out to watch the game, a lot more than the Thame players had experienced before and there was a there was a noisy reception greeting both teams as they made their way onto the pitch.

Thame started the game kicking right to left into the sun, it was the home side that started the game on the front foot and pressed Thame back playing some neat football building up from the back and using the wide areas to put pressure on the Thame defence. After an early chance for Greg Hackett a header that was held by the Hitchin keeper the home side dominated play from that point onwards winning a series of corners and having a number of headers over the bar and one cleared off the line. The pressure was so intense on the visitors that they picked up three yellow cards in the opening minutes for miss timed tackles. The host continued to pile forward and had further chances to open the scoring but a combination of poor finishing and some good saves by keeper Crowther kept the scores level, Thame’s only response in the later stages of the first half was an attempt from Captain Mark Riddick getting an effort from the edge of the box from a defensive header out but the shot was easily saved by the home keeper, the scores remained level at half time, but you have to credit the visitors who had defended well.

The second half got under way with Hitchin continued where they left off creating more chances and somehow couldn’t hit the back of the net, the Thame goal was leading a charmed life, as the half went on Thame seem to grow in confidence like a light switch had been turned on and all of a sudden it was Hitchin who were on the back foot with the visitors creating chances Brayden Daniel and Greg Hackett were finding more room on the wings and it was the Hitchin keeper who was the busier. Jack Tutton had a fierce shot on 75 minutes which look to be going into the left out side of the net but the keeper managed to get a hand on it and push it out for a corner. Then Thame thought the had won a penalty after the ball was crossed into the box and Harry Alexander was first to the ball with a shot but was cleaned out by one of the defenders, however the only person in the ground that didn't think it was a spot kick was the referee and although the Thame players protested a corner was given, much to the disbelief of the Thame bench, and relief on the other bench. The final few minutes continued with high intensity both sides having chances, but the game ended with both sides unable to score and we went to extra time.

Thame started the first period of extra time on the front foot with Brayden Daniel having the first chance a volley inside the box which was over the bar. Then the moment for Thame to take the lead, a ball played over the top of the Hitchin centre backs was latched onto by Harry Alexander as he ran in on goal unchallenged his shot beat the keeper but shaved the left hand post and went wide. We went into the second period of extra time, both teams beginning to tire in the warm conditions then with 9 minutes of the match remaining a moment of brilliance from the Hitchen left back Kane, saw the home side take the lead, picking the ball up on the left hand wing he raced into the box and smashed a shot past keeper and high into the net. Thame tried to come back and pressed forward in the remaining minutes but failed to trouble the home sides keeper and it was Hitchin advanced to the final.

It was a valiant performance from Thame who had done a brilliant job to get to the play off semi final considering the start of the season they had. And worked tirelessly to in the final. Overall although it was a disappointing end they can be proud of the season they have had.

Starting Eleven

1 Matty Crowther (GK)
2 Callum Hall
3 Ethan Lack (Curtis Brown 80 minutes)
4 Fin Murray (Luke Tingey 100 minutes)
5 Brayden Daniel (Lance Williams 110 minutes)
6 Mark Riddick (C)
7 Greg Hackett (Charlie Stow 92 minutes)
8 Jack Tutton (Lance Williams 80 minutes)
9 Louis Walsh
10 Dan West
11 Harry Alexander

Substitutes

12 Curtis Brown
14 Abu Khan
15 Lance Williams
16 Charlie Stow
20 Luke Tingey

Attendance 1280