Thame United were in Isuzu FA Trophy action in the first Qualifying Round, which consisted of all Step 4 sides, they were on the road again as they made the long trip to Portsmouth to take on Isthmian League South Central Side Moneyfields, it was the third away cup tie of the season after trips to Clevedon and Chertsey. And this one didnt get off to the best of starts, with the coach unable to navigate the narrow streets to get to the John Jenkins Stadium and the team having to make a 10 minute walk to the gound with all the kit. Manager Ben Williams welcomed back Ethan Lack and Jenson Wright who missed the last game, but Dan West was absent from the squad. There was one change to the starting line up from the last game with Lance Williams starting in the number 9 position, with Harry Alexander playing in the number 10 role.

There was a delay to kick off as a person was taken ill in the stands just before the scheduled kick off, with an ambulance being called to assist, The game finally kicked off at 15:20. With Thame kicking from left to right in the first half with a very strong wind behind them. Thame had the better of the opening exchanges playing the ball around and looking more threatening up front as they created several half chances in the opening ten minutes.Thame took the lead on 13 minutes, Lance Williams adjudged to have been brought down in the box after attempting to reach a long ball from keeper Crowther, looked a harsh decision. Louis Walsh stepped up to score sending the pepper the wrong way.

Thame then had another penalty shout, Louise Walsh drove to the goal line on the left hand side pulled the ball back to Mark Riddick on the penalty spot, he was about to shoot and was taken out by the defender who got know where near the ball. To everyone’s disbelief the referee waived play on, the ball was cleared and Moneyfields broke and from the resultant attack hit the bar, the ball finally being cleared for a corner. The home side took a short corner, with the Thame defence not picking it up, the ball was crossed into the box and the Moneyfields number 9 rose above the Thame defence to head the ball into the net off of the underside of the cross bar, Thames lead lasted 6 minutes. On 25 minutes Thame won a free kick just outside the area which Harry Alexander stepped up to take, but his shot was saved by the home team's keeper. Moneyfields had the final chance of the half just on half time this time a shot from the left out side the box was just wide. After the initial flurry action it was a pretty cagy affair with most of the play taking place in the middle third of the pitch with neither side dominating the game.

Thame kicked off the second half into a strong wind, and pressed the home side back, and were ontop with the ball being played in the Moneyfields half, but against the run of play on 57 minutes the home side took the lead, after Thame lost the ball in the home sides half a quick counter attack on their right found their number 11 left on his own, he drove into the box, with the Thame defence chasing but got his shot away beating keeper Crowther and against the run of play the home side were in the lead. Manager Ben Williams made two substitutes, with Louise Walsh and and Jack Tutton being replaced by Ethan Lack and Jenson Wright. Thame were pushing for the equaliser and were camped in the Moneyfields half and in the space of ten minutes had three more penalty shouts, first from a corner, the home teams keeper rushes out to ket to the cross and punch Mark Riddick instead of the ball, unbelievably the free kick went to the home side, Then Ethan Lack was through on goal the keeper rushes out and takes Ethan out, again referee gives a free kick to the home side. Ethan Lack, then picked up the ball deep on the left hand side took the ball into the box and was brought down just inside the box, more shouts for a penalty only for the referee to award a free kick out side the box to Thame, another head scratching decision.

Two more Substitutes for Thame as they pushed for the equaliser, Harry Alexander and Alex Monroe making way for Ty Njogu and Curtis Brown on 75 minutes.into the final 10 minutes and it was all Thame chances were coming a shot across the goal hits the post, then a good run from Callum Hall on the right, who squares the ball back to an unmarked Jenson Wright who’s shot smashes the ball against the underside of the goal but bounced down and out without crossing the line. Then Lance Williams turned a defender and was in on goal but his shot was wide of the post. The corner count was rising and as the clocked ticked down the home side must have thought they were home and dry but in the last minute another Thame corner from the right was ahead back across goal by Captain Mark Riddick and Lance Williams rose at the far post to head the ball over the line and Thame had a deserved equalise and .after 5 minutes of added time the referee blew for full time and we went straight to a penalty shoot out.

Moneyfields took the first penalty and scored, keeper Crowther getting a hand on the ball but couldn’t keeper it out, Jenson Wright, scores Thames first, the home side score their second and Greg Hackett brings the scores level at 2 - 2, Moneyfields make it 3 - 2 with Ty Njogu bringing the scores level again, Moneyfields miss their fourth with keeper Crowther making a good save low down to his right hand side. Curtis Brown stepped up to make it 3 - 4 to Thame, Moneyfields score their fifth to make it 4 - 4 with Lance Williams stepping up to slot the ball home and send Thame into the next round winning 5 - 4 in the penalty shoot out.

Thame progress to the second qualifying round which will take place on 20 September with the draw on Monday.

Man of the match
Lance Williams

Goals
Louis Walsh (13 minutes Pen)
Lance Williams (89 minutes)

Penalty Scorers
Jenson Wright, Greg Hackett, Ty Njogu, Curtis Brown, Lance Williams

Starting Eleven

1 Matthew Phillip Crowther
2 Callum Foday Hall
3 Alex Monroe (Ty Njogu 75 minutes)
4 Finlay Edward Murray
5 Luke Tingey
6 Mark Riddick (Captain)
7 Jack Tutton (62 minutes Jenson Wright)
8 Harry Alexander (75 minutes Curtis Brown)
9 Lance Williams
10 Greg Hackett
11 Louis Walsh (63 minutes Ethan Lack)

Substitutes

12 Curtis Brown
14 Tyrae George Njogu
15 Ethan Lack
21 Jenson Wright
13 Reece Papas

Attendance 123