It was Thame United's sixth home game on the trot as they welcomed London Lions to The ASM Stadium in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One, this was the first ever competitive fixture between the two sides after the Lions gained promotion to Step 4 at the end of last season. After a convincing 4 - 0 win on Tuesday against Marlow FC the home side were looking to make it four in a row undefeated in the league, Manager Ben Williams had one absentee from the midweek match with Louis Walsh unavailable, Pelumi Maxwell replaced him on the bench and there was a swap on the wing with Curtis Brown replacing Greg Hackett.

Thame got the game under way, kicking from right to left in the first half, wearing their traditional red and black, with the visitors in Lilac shirts and shocks and grey shirts And it was the visitors who got into their stride the quickest, playing some neat football and forcing the home side to make some un characteristic poor clearances giving the ball away. It was the Lions who had the first real chance with the captain and number 10 played in but his shot was saved by Keeper Pettitt. The home sides first chance came a few minutes later, after winning a free kick the ball was played in but only half cleared and fell to Curtis Brown who’s low drive was just past the post.

The home side were really struggling to capture the form that saw them sweep aside Marlow in mid week, the visitors were on top and a cross from the left was put over the bar from close range by the number 8, followed by another chance this side down the other flank, with the ball squared across the Thame 18 yard box, and Luke Tingy making an important interception to stop the lions number 10 being in on goal. Against the run of play on 29 minutes it was Thame who took the lead, a long clearance from keeper Pettitt found Curtis Brown on the left wing, he gathered the ball turned and drove into the Lions box, squaring the ball for an unmarked Lance Williams to side foot into the net with the keeper stranded at the near post.

The goal briefly sparked Thame into life and could have doubled their lead shortly afterwards, a back pass fell short of the keeper, Lance Williams was first to react but the keeper blocked his effort the ball rebounded to Curtis Brown who’s shot was also blocked and another rebound was put wide by Dan West. Thames’s lead didn't last long, with the lions drawing level 10 minutes later, after winning a corner which was taken from the Lions left, the ball was played into the box and the Thame defence failed to clear the ball and it fell to the lions number 10 who controlled the ball and fired his shot into the top right hand corner, on the balance of play nothing more than the visitors deserved. The goal stung the home side into action, with chances for Mark Riddick Harry Alexander and Ethan Lack, then Curtis Brown was played in by Dan West, but his shot was over the bar. The half ended with the scores level and on the balance of play a fair score.

London Lions had the first opportunity of the second half, on 50 minutes, a cross field pass was headed away by Callum Hall, to Curtis Brown who was dispossessed, the ball was played into the Lions number 10 who first touch took the ball wide and he could only chip the ball back from the right hand side for keeper petite to claim unchallenged. Shortly after Lions won a free kick in a central position about 40 yards out, the shot beat the wall but was well wide of the left hand post. Thame had the next opportunity from a long throw, which was headed out to Curtis Brown on the left edge of the 18 yard box, his cross back in was met by captain Mark Riddick who header looped up and just over the bar.

Thame took the lead on 56 minutes, a brilliant piece of skill from Abu Khan beat two Lions defenders on the right wing, he raced to the touch line and crossed the ball into the box for an unmarked Dan West to come from deep and head the ball into the neat wrong footing the keeper, that was two in two for the Thame number 10. There was a triple substitution on 57 minutes with Jenson Wright, Jack Tutton and Greg Hackett replacing Harry Alexander, Ethan Lack and Lance Williams, with Curtis Brown moving into the number nine position. Thame were sitting deep and allowing the visitors the majority of the play content to counter attack when they had the chance. There was a chance on 75 minutes for the visitors, a break on the left was played into the box and met Callum Hall who header looped into the air and was caught by keeper petite. The lions were looking for the equaliser and a left footed shot from outside the area was narrowly over the bar.

Thame's counter attacking play, saw Dan West win a corner after he picked up a through ball, he drove into the box, but is final touch just gave the keeper the chance to come out an push the ball out, the resultant corner was cleared. Dan West then tried an audacious lob from the half way line, seeing the keeper off of his line his shot was wide of the goal. Jenson Wright played in Curtis Brown on the right flank, he drove into the box but his shot was straight across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick, that was his last action of the day as he made way for Ty Njogu on 80 minutes.

As the clock ticked down, the visitors were finishing the stronger and created an opportunity when a defensive error allowed the left winger to break in on goal but his near post shot was pushed out by keeper Pettitt for a corner, which was cleared by the Thame defence Pelumi Maxwell made his debut for Thame on 90 minutes, replacing Dan West who had just picked up a yellow card. The referee had indicated five minutes of added time. The lions had won a free kick just short of the half way line, as their keeper played the ball into the box the Thame defence froze know one met the ball and it was allowed to bounce on the 6 yard box, with the visitors front man able to get to the ball and shoot, only for keeper Pettitt to make him self big and make a great save from close range and the ball was cleared. Although the Lions pressed and launched a couple of long throws into the Thame box, they were cleared and the home side managed to see out the added time to secure another victory and a fourth game unbeaten. It wasnt the best performance but a resilient second half display saw them battle to gain another three points.

Next up is an away trip to Barton Rovers on Tuesday night kick 19:45.

Goals
Lance Williams (29 minutes)
Dan West (56 minutes)

Starting Eleven

1 Jonny Pettitt
2 Callum Foday Hall
3 Abu Khan
4 Fin Murray
5 Luke Tingey
6 Mark Riddick (Captain)
7 Curtis Brown (Ty Njogu 80 minutes)
8 Ethan Lack (Jack Tutton 57 minutes)
9 Lance Williams (Jenson Wright 57 minutes)
10 Dan West (Pelumi Maxwell (89 minutes)
11 Harry Alexander (Greg Hackett 57 minutes)

Substitutes

12 Greg Hackett
14 Tyrae Njogu
15 Jenson Wright
16 Jack Tutton
17 Pelumi Maxwell

Attendance 111