Thame United were on the road again on Tuesday evening as they travelled to league leaders Leighton Town in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One. Manager Ben Williams kept the same team that earned an impressive away victory at Rayners Lane at the weekend, with one change on the bench Charlie Stow coming in for Louie Stowell.

Thame got the game underway kicking from right to left in the first half on a heavy pitch due to the rain in past few days, but it had been rolled so was relatively flat. Thame started brightly and had the first attempt on goal with Harry Alexander breaking on the right cutting back inside from the edge of the 18 yard box, but his shot was over the bar. Leighton had their first attempt on 5 minutes a shot from just outside of the left hand side of the box was well saved by Keeper Davis pushing it out from a corner

’The home side were having a lot of the ball in the Thame’s half but no real chances were being created, with a lot of side ways passing across the back lane. But the they were growing into the game and putting Thame under a lot of pressure winning a number of corners and were loading the six yard box with players and had a height advantage of the Thame defence. However Thame defending the set pieces well and clearing the ball up field.

On 26 minutes Leighton had the ball in the Thame net but it was ruled out due to the number 9 handling the ball in the build up, but it was only a matter of minutes when the home side took the lead. The Leighton Number 9 picked up the ball on the left, drove past the Thame full back and from inside the box drove a low cross into the box, keeper Davis got down to the ball but spilled it at the feet of the number 10 who had an easy tap in from inside the six yard box. Thame were still playing some good football and were looking dangerous on the counter attack but the build up play was breaking down without threatening the home team's goal.

Leighton doubled their lead on 34 minutes, this time from a corner on the right, after defending these well in the opening 30 minutes, The Thame defence failed to pick up the number six who had a free header into the top right hand corner. The visitors continued to fight and won a corner on the left, as the ball was flicked on at the front post, the Leighton keeper had to make a good save makes diving to his left. The half ended with Leighton two goals to the good, but Thame had played well but just couldn't find a final ball when they had some good build up play to threaten the home side goal.

Leighton started the second half strongly forcing a number of corners and having a chance with a shot just over the bar. Thame made a double substitution on 55 minutes with Ethan Lack and Abu Khan who both had been booked being replaced by Lance Williams and Curtis Brown. There was controversy on 58 minutes, when The home sides number 9 fell to the ground relatively easily after loosing control of the ball in the Thame left hand side near the corner flag. Very much looked like he bought the free kick and the referee fell for it, which proved to be a bad call for Thame as the free kick was played in it was flicked on at the front post and fell to the number 6 on the edge of the box, who caught the ball sweetly and it flew through a group of players into the left had side of the goal. Thame continued to work hard both on and off the ball and were finding some space in and around the home sides goal. And should have equalised with some good build up play and a cross into the box, but the chance was put wide, then another cross into the box was met by Louis Walsh but his head from the six yard box was straight at the keeper.

Two more substations were made by the visitors with Louis Walsh and Harry Alexander being replaced by Jenson Wright and Charlie Stow making his first team league debut. And it wasn’t long before the debutant got on the score sheet a ball over the top aloud the youngster to use his pace and out run the left back and neatly finish past the advancing keeper. Jack Tutton then had a chance from a corner after the ball was header out he met it from the edge of the D, but his shot was wide. That was the last of the meaningful action, with a very good Leighton Town side continuing their unbeaten run, but Thame played well and gave the home side a good test.

Goals

Charlie Stowell (81 minutes)

Starting Eleven

1 Archie Davis
2 Callum Hall
3 Abu Khan (Curtis Brown 58 minutes)
4 Fin Murray
5 Ethan Lack (Lance Williams 58 minutes)
6 Mark Riddick (Captain)
7 Greg Hackett
8 Jack Tutton
9 Louis Walsh (Charlie Stow 75 minutes)
10 Dan West
11 Harry Alexander (Jenson Wright 75 minutes)

Substitutes

12 Lance Williams
14 Jenson Wright
15 Curtis Brown
16 Charlie Stow

Attendance 278