It was the final weekend of the league season with Thame United finishing off their campaign with a trip to Top Field to play second placed Hitchin Town in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One. Hitchin had already secured second place in the table and were guaranteed a home tie in the play off semi final, their opponents could have been one of three teams, Biggleswade Town, Thame United or Hertford Town depending on the way the afternoon results panned out, and as such had made a number of changes to the team that played on Wednesday night. For Thame it was simple avoid defeat and they were secured a play off space in either fifth or there was a possibility of fourth. Manager Ben Williams kept the same starting eleven and substitutes bench that defeated Biggleswade Town the previous weekend.

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 very hot day with clear skies and Thame chose to play kicking into the sun in the first half, Hitchin got the game underway, but it was the visitors who were showing more purpose and closing down the home side as they tried to play out from the back, and the high press somewhat hindered the home side and there was early success for Thame when Brayden Daniel picked up the ball deep on the right hand side of the Hitchin half, he cut in ran across the 18 yard line and set up Greg Hackett who curled in a right footed shot which the keeper could only palm into the net. It got better for Thame on fourteen minutes when the Hitchin number 4 received a pass from the left full back deep in his own half, he tried to control it but his heavy touch aloud Louis Walsh to steal the ball and was about to run into the penalty area and in on goal when the 4 clipped his heals. The referee blew for a free kick and after consulting with his Assistant Referee produced a straight Red card for the defender. The resultant free kick from Harry Alexander was high over the bar.

Thame had another chance on 19 minutes a break on the right from Brayden Daniel resulted in a cross into the box for an unmarked Louis Walsh, his goal bound shot was blocked and rebounded out to Harry Alexander who’s long range shot was saved, moments later the same player had another long range shot saved. The home team had struggled to get into the game and it wasn't until the 23 minute that they had their first shot some neat build play set up the number 9 who’s shot from the edge of the box beat keeper Crowther but hit the left hand post and as the ball was recycled was played back to the same player who’s long range shot was saved by keeper Crowther. Thame continued to work the Hitchin keeper with Brayden Daniel forcing a save from a shot from the edge of the area after cutting in from a run down the left wing. The visitors then thought they had won a penalty on 32 minutes, Jack Tutton winning the ball back in his own half and played a long ball over the Hitchin centre backs for Greg Hackett to run in on goal as he neared the six yard box the centre back dived in from behind and made no contact on the ball and brought down Hackett, to everyones astonishment the Referee booked Hackett for diving probably one of the worst refereeing calls you will see.

Thame continued to dominate play and could have made it two on 42 minutes, Greg Hackett with a run down the left and into the box, cut in and shot which the keeper could only push out to Jack Tutton but his first time shot was just wide of the left hand post. The same player then had another long range shot which the keeper couldn’t hold onto fortunately there were no Thame Players following up. Thame finally got their second goal and no more than they deserved on the stroke of half time. Jack Tutton picking the ball up on the left playing it to Brayden Daniel in the box, he took it to the touchline and tossed the ball to an unmarked Harry Alexander who had time to control the ball and fire it into the right hand side of the net. There was still time for one more attempt for the visitors a long ball over the top of the Hitchin back line was picked up by Louise Walsh but his attempted lob was wide of the mark. The half ended with a well deserve 2 - 0 lead for the visitors

The second half got under way with Thame continuing to dominate play, Brayden Daniel was causing problems on the right and after picking the ball up went on a run into the box, beating the left back and from the edge of the six yard box forced the keeper into making a save at his near post. The Same player then went on an almost identical run but this time cross the ball into Louis Walsh but his first time shot was wide of the right hand post, Thame made their first Substitute on 64 minutes with Curtis Brown replacing Greg Hackett who had picked up a yellow card earlier, and slotted into the left wing position and it wasn't long before he got himself on the score sheet, Jack Tutton won the ball on the half way line, played it down the left wing for Brown to run in behind the defence he drove into the left hand side of the box and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper for the third. Charlie Stow then replaced Louis Walsh in a straight swap up front then made a triple substitution with Dan West, Jack Tutton and Harry Alexander being replaced by Lance Williams, Luke Tingey and Abu Khan. The later then linking up well with Ethan Lack on the left hand side to play in Brayden Daniel who took the ball into the box and shot, with the keeper diving to his right the shot was aimed at his left and he just managed to stop the ball with his foot and it deflected out for a corner.

Charlie Stow went on a run after receiving the ball midway in the Hitchin half beating three Hitchin players, but as he edged into the penalty area was brought down, the referee pointed to the spot. Stow stepped up to take the kick himself which was low to the keepers right, he managed to get down and make a good save only for the ball to rebound into the air and it fell to Stow who tapped it into the net. The visitors weren’t finished there, and won a free kick on the left hand side on 88 minutes, Curtis Brown delivered it to the back post the ball went over Captain Mark Riddick's head and was headed into his own net by one of the Hitchin defenders, and thats the way the game finished a five star performance from Thame United who throughly deserved the victory which secured fifth place and a play off spot, which will mean returning to Top Field on Wednesday night for a rematch against Hitchin Town. In the other match Biggleswade FC will be home to Biggleswade Town, with the winners of both ties playing in the final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Goals
Greg Hackett (8 minutes)
Harry Alexander (46 minutes)
Curtis Brown (72 minutes)
Charlie Stow (85 minutes)
Own Goal (88 minutes)

Starting Eleven

1 Matty Crowther
2 Callum Hall
3 Ethan Lack
4 Fin Murray
5 Brayden Daniel
6 Mark Riddick (C)
7 Greg Hackett (Curtis Brown 64 minutes)
8 Jack Tutton (Lance Williams 80 minutes)
9 Louis Walsh (Charlie Stow 78 minutes)
10 Dan West (Luke Tingey 80 minutes)
11 Harry Alexander (Abu Khan 80 minutes)

Substitutes

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

Attendance 734