Milton Keynes Irish 0 - 4 Thame United

Thame United were back on their travels for the first midweek game of the season as they visited Milton Keynes Irish in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One.
Last season, Thame came away with a 6-0 victory, but MK Irish were coming into the game on the back of a good away victory at Haringey at the weekend. Meanwhile, Thame were undefeated in six games, having won their last five.
Manager Ben Williams rotated the team after Saturday’s long trip to Portland United, with Aydin Ulas and Roger James coming into the starting eleven to replace Josh Stranks and Charlie Bacon. Both players dropped to the bench, along with Curtis Brown, who returned after injury.

Thame got the game underway on a very good playing surface, kicking from right to left in the first half. Both teams had early chances, with both goalkeepers forced into making saves.
The visitors took the lead early on 4 minutes with a nicely worked goal. Harry Alexander’s through ball between the left-back and centre-back found Jack Tutton on the overlap. His cross into the six-yard box was met by Greg Hackett, who ran between two defenders to finish.

The home side came back strongly, winning a series of corners. Thame goalkeeper Callan was forced into making a good diving save to his right to push an attempt behind.
However, it was Thame who started to get on top and had a number of chances to extend their lead. Roger James headed just wide before Greg Hackett had three good opportunities.
Thame were on top, and the only real threat came from their own inability to keep possession. On a number of occasions, they gave the ball away, which led to the home side winning a free kick on the edge of the box in a central position. However, the resulting shot was comfortably saved by Callan.

The game was very open, with the visitors able to cut through the home side’s defence with ease. Harry Alexander had another opening on 28 minutes, finding himself through on goal, but he took one touch too many and the ball was cleared.
At the other end, there was a penalty appeal for the home team, but the referee waved it away, much to the annoyance of the players and home fans.

Callum Hall was then booked for a foul on the MK Irish number 10. The decision seemed a little harsh, but the game was becoming increasingly stop-start, with fouls being given away and both players and benches becoming irritated by some of the refereeing decisions. Thame continued to dominate and create the better chances. Before half-time, Jack Tutton had a shot tipped over by the home goalkeeper. The half ended with Thame one goal to the good, with the visitors wondering how they were only one goal ahead.

The second half got underway and, within a minute of the restart, Thame doubled their lead. Greg Hackett picked the ball up in midfield and played it over the defence into the path of Harry Alexander, who ran onto it on the right-hand side of the six-yard box. He took the ball towards goal, cut back onto his left foot and then back again before smashing a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper from close range. The home side shouted for offside, but Alexander was clearly onside. Three minutes later, it was 3-0. Harry Alexander played the ball out wide to Callum Hall. His cross was missed by everyone and fell nicely for Roger James, who was running in at the far post. James hit a powerful left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
Josh Stranks replaced the already-booked Callum Hall on 53 minutes.

Thame were now in total control, passing the ball around and frustrating the MK Irish players. Their number nine was booked for a wild lunge on Dan West. The chances continued to come, this time, Greg Hackett attacked down the left and squared the ball to Roger James, who was unmarked on the edge of the box. However, his shot was off target. Ed Darren replaced Hayden Beadle on 69 minutes. Then, on 77 minutes, Thame made a double substitution, with Roger James and Greg Hackett making way for Charlie Bacon and Jamie Davies.
Dan West and Fin Murray were dominant at the heart of the Thame defence, winning most of the aerial battles and proving to be a significant barrier that the opposition had no answer to.
Thame made it four on 83 minutes after winning a corner on the right. The ball came back to Harry Alexander, whose cross into the box was met by the unmarked Mark Riddick. His header was well saved by the home goalkeeper, but the ball fell to Dan West, who buried it into the net from a couple of yards out. It was no more than West deserved for a very good performance. The visitors comfortably saw out the rest of the game and came away with a well-deserved victory. The only real surprise of the evening was that the score was only 4-0.

Attendance 154

Goals
Greg Hacket (4 minutes)
Harry Alexander (46 minutes)
Roger James (50 minutes)
Dan West (83 minutes)

Team
1. James Callan
2. Callum Hall (Josh Stranks 53 minutes)
3. Josh Stranks
4. Finn Murray
5. Hayden Beadle (Ed Daffern 69 minutes)
6. Mark Riddick (C)
7. Greg Hackett (Jamie Davies 77 minutes)
8.Jack Tutton
9. Roger James (Charlie Bacon 77 minutes)
10.Dan West
11.Harry Alexander

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