Thame United were on their travels for the second time in three days as they made their way to Marlow for their first away league game of the season. Marlow had played just one league game this season, beating Beaconsfield 3–2 at home, but had since suffered two cup defeats: going out of the FA Cup to Step 5 Cirencester and losing 4–0 at home to Hayes & Yeading in the FA Trophy on Saturday. Thame, meanwhile, were on the back of a three-game unbeaten run after a draw against Ware and cup victories against Brislington and Westbury United.It was a quick turnaround after the long trip to Westbury on Saturday, so manager Ben Williams made a number of changes to freshen up the team. Back into the starting eleven came Dan West, Greg Hackett and Hayden Beadle, with Curtis Brown, Josh Stranks and Ed Daffern moving to the bench. In goal for Marlow was former Thame keeper Tyrese Kamara, who made two appearances for the Red Kites last season.

Thame got the game underway kicking from right to left in the first half and immediately started where they had finished on Saturday, putting Marlow under pressure and creating chances from the start. Greg Hackett could not get on the end of a ball played into the box, with the ball falling to Harry Alexander whose shot was blocked. Moments later Roger James was played in with a ball over the defence; he ran into the box but his shot was well saved by Kamara. Alexander then found himself in the Marlow box with the ball at his feet but could not get the shot away. The Marlow defence cleared, presenting their number 11 with a chance to run in on goal on the right. His shot-cross went across the Thame goal inside the six-yard box, but the player coming in at the far post could not get a decent shot in and the ball was gathered by keeper Callan.The visitors then won a couple of corners in quick succession but did not take advantage.

The opening goal came on 15 minutes. Alexander was played in on the right with a ball over the top of the Marlow defence. He ran into the box as keeper Kamara advanced and knocked the ball past him, with the keeper’s momentum taking Alexander out, a clear penalty. Alexander stepped up himself, placing the ball to the left of the goal and sending the keeper the wrong way to open his account for the season.Hayden Beadle then had a chance after the referee played an advantage following a foul on a Thame player, but his long-range shot from outside the box was just wide. At the other end a shot from a Marlow attacker went wide, and there was a half-hearted penalty shout which the referee waved away.There was then more pressure on the home goal. A Hackett free-kick hit the wall, the ball deflected into the air and Hackett tried an acrobatic overhead kick which was easily saved by Kamara.It was not long before Thame doubled their lead. Aydin Udin’s long throw towards the Marlow box was picked up by Beadle, who played a cross-field pass to Alexander on the right just inside the box. He flicked the ball up over the right-back and slammed it past Kamara for his second of the game.Marlow came back with a couple of half-chances which did not trouble Callan, while Thame threatened again with a header from Mark Riddick which was saved and a header over the bar from Roger James. The last action of the half saw Callan making his first meaningful save with a good low stop from a strike by Marlow’s number 5. The half ended with the visitors good value for their 2–0 lead.

The visitors continued on the front foot in the second half, with Greg Hackett laying the ball off to Aydin Ulas on the left, who had made a run into the box, but his shot was saved at the second attempt by the keeper. Marlow came back with the number 12, who had come on as a substitute, firing over the bar. Harry Alexander then had a left-footed volley saved by the keeper following a cross from the left by Greg Hackett. Hackett then had a chance himself as Harry Alexander’s shot was deflected into his path, only for his shot to be deflected out for a corner, which when delivered saw a header go tamely wide.Ulas picked up a yellow card on 56 minutes after pushing over the Marlow winger and breaking up a promising attack. Marlow had a lifeline on 58 minutes after winning a free kick on the right-hand side, in line with the edge of the box. The ball was floated in and met by the number 8, whose header towards goal was controlled inside the six-yard box by the number 5 with his back to goal. With the Thame skipper in close proximity behind him, the number 5 fell to the ground and the referee pointed to the spot immediately. The number 9, Moore, stepped up and placed the ball to the left, sending keeper Callen the wrong way. It’s fair to say the Thame players were very unhappy with the decision, and it looked a very soft one with minimal contact.

Thame made a triple substitution on 62 minutes, with Josh Stranks, Ed Daffern and Curtis Brown replacing Aydin Ulas, Jack Tutton and Roger James. By this point the game was becoming very fragmented, with play being broken up by the referee’s whistle. He was blowing for almost every challenge, frustrating the players and benches from both sides.Marlow’s brief comeback lasted all of six minutes as Thame scored their third, and it was a hat-trick for Harry Alexander. Thame worked the ball neatly after winning it back in the Marlow half. Greg Hackett, from the centre of the field, played the ball out to Ed Daffern on the left. He crossed the ball, Alexander controlled it with his right foot and hit the shot with his left past the keeper.Thame made two more substitutions, with Charlie Bacon replacing Greg Hackett and Jamie Davies replacing hat-trick hero Alexander. Marlow tried to come back into the game, but Thame had shut up shop and were sitting back and inviting the pressure. There was one more chance for the visitors when Charlie Bacon picked up the ball on the edge of the box, but his shot was wide of the left-hand post.With Thame picking up yellow cards for Josh Stranks and Mark Riddick for soft fouls, and the visitors content to sit deep and soak up the pressure for the last few minutes, the game ended with a comfortable and well-deserved victory for Thame.

Attendance 170

Goals

Harry Alexander (15, 34, 64 minutes)

Team
1. James Callan
2. Callum Hall
3. Audis Ulas (Josh Stranks 62 minutes)
4. Finn Murray
5. Hayden Beadle
6. Mark Riddick (C)
7. Greg Hackett (Charlie Bacon 73 minutes)
8. Jack Tutton (Ed Dafferen 62 minutes)
9. Roger James (Curtis Brown 62 minutes)
10.Dan West
11.Harry Alexander (Jamie Davis 80 minutes)

Substitutes
12.Curtis Brown
14.Josh Stranks
15.Jamie Davies
16. Ed Daffern
17.Charlie Bacon