Thame United were back in Pitching in Southern League Division One Central action as the 2026 / 2027 league campaign kicked off with home tie and the visit of Royston Town to the ASM stadium,

On a very warm afternoon, with no breeze it was going to be a test not only against arguably the favourites for promotion but also the high temperatures. The Thame United pitch was looking in good condition, where many pitches were struggling with the drought, the pitch at the ASM stadium was like a carpet, a tribute to the work the ground staff had put into getting it ready for the season. Manager Ben William's first team of the season saw a number of debuts with James Callan in goal, Josh Stranks left back, Hayden Beadle in midfield and Ed Daffern on the wing. Fin Murray slotted in at right back with Callum Hall missing.

It was the visitors, playing in all white who got the game underway kicking into the sun towards the ring road end, in front of a decent opening day crowd of 156 and It was a dream start for them taking the lead within two minutes of the start, a throwing from the right hand side midway in the Thame half was played to the edge of the Thame area, where the number 9 was allowed to turn and play a pass in behind the right full back for Kian Harness to run onto and slot the ball passed keeper Callan into the left hand side of the goal. A few minutes later Royston had another chance but the shot from the middle of the pitch was saved by keeper Callan.

Thame started to settle into the game and created a couple of half chances both wide of the goal without troubling the keeper, at the other end the visitors had a good chance to double the lead but a header from a cross from the right was headed against the post, then keeper Callen was forced to make an excellent double save first stopping a goal bound shot and recovering to deflect another effort out for a corner. At the other end after winning a free kick on the right hand edge of the box, the ball was whipped in by Harry Alexander, the visitors number 5 headed the goal bound effort away only for it to hit Fin Murray inside the six yard box and deflect back and bounce off of the post, rebounding to a defender who cleared.

The home sides best chance of the half came in added time a cross field pass from Harry Alexander found Ed Daffern wide on the left hand side, his cross was deflected up into the air over the keeper and looked to be going in at the far post, but a dramatic over head clearance from the number 5 saved the visitors from going into the break on level terms. The half ended with Royston a goal up, they Started strongly but Thame came back into the game towards the end of the half.

Thame got the second half under way, and fell further behind within 5 minutes of the restart with Royston’s second coming on 50 minutes after winning a free kick on the left the ball was played into the box and cleared for a corner on the right, the visitors had pushed all their big men into the six yard box putting pressure on the keeper, as the ball was played in the number 5 and captain went up for the ball and there appeared to be a hand on the back, which resulted in the big number 5 throwing him self to the ground. Quite honestly if there was a touch the exaggerated dive was embarrassing for a player of his size. But the referee bought it and pointed to the spot. Joe Iaciofano stepped up to wrong foot the keeper to make it 2 - 0. It was a decisions that frustrated the Thame players, and yet again we saw a inconsistency approach from the officials with similar incidents going unpunished.

Thame made a double substitution on 68 minutes with Curtis Brown and Charlie Bacon, coming on for Mark Riddick and Ed Daffern, with Dan West pushing up front for the remainder of the match. The visitors seem to be comfortable with the 2 - 0 advantage and didnt really create much in the remainder of the half and Thame although had some efforts the majority of them were off target and the Royston keeper had a fairly comfortable afternoon.

The third goal came in the dying minutes of the game, with Thame pushing forward to try and get something out of the game they were caught out with a long ball straight down the middle of the pitch for the number 5 Murray to outpace the defence running from the edge of the D, to slot the ball to the right, passed the advancing keeper, a sloppy goal to concede.

The game ended with a 3 - 0 victory to the visitors, who had the better of the chances and physically were stronger and had more desire to come away with the three points, a frustrating afternoon for the home side who were restricted to long range efforts on goal, with most going wide, so the team will have to dust themselves down and prepare for another tough game next Saturday as Ware visit the ASM Stadium.

Attendance 156

Team
1. James Callan
2. Fin Murray
3. Josh Stranks
4. Hayden Beadle (Jamie Davies 82 minutes)
5. Luke Tingey
6. Mark riddick (C) (Curtis Brown 68 minutes)
7. Greg Hacket
8. Jack Tutton
9. Ed Daffern (Charlie Bacon 68 minutes)
10. Dan West
11. Harry Alexander

Substitutes
12. Curtis Brown
14. Charlie Bacon
15.Jamie Davies
16. Ashley Moakes
17. Lucas Wynn