Thame Academy A team finished the year on a high note following a strong performance and win against League 2 outfit Stevenage Borough.

The opposition only had one defeat in the league this far and were in fine goal scoring form going into the game with 12 goals in their last 2 games.

Thame on the other hand were enjoying a nice little run since their shocking start to the season, winning their last 3 fixtures.

The game kicked off and it was apparent that the game was going to be a tense ad tight affair with neither team looking to offer the other any opportunities and both defences on top.

The first real opportunity on 20 minutes fell to Bertie Turvey who, after neat play in the midfield from Alex Rickard, Tom Ashworth and Amir Jafri releasing Turvey but his effort was straight at the goal keeper. The chances kept coming after this but the opposition defence and goalkeeper were equal to anything Thame could throw at them. Nathan Lang in the home goal was relatively quiet in the first half but, when called upon was confident and assured to claim every cross and stop every shot.

It was on 35 minutes when Nathan was called into action for the first real time but his excellent point blank save from their striker denied what would have been a definite goal.

The half ended 0 - 0 but was far from a dull affair.

The second half kicked off and it was more of the same from both teams with both sets of defenders giving nothing away to either set of strikers and it wasn't until the last 15 minutes when the game sprung into life and the defences started to give time and space to each set of strikers.

The first chance fell to Bertie Turvey who, after Amir Jafri sprung the offside trap and raced free on goal passed to him but his touch took him a little too wide and his effort was tame and flew over the bar.

It was Amir's chance to go close next, but with no time to adjust from the cross that was fired at him, he deflected the ball wide.

The first goal of the game came on 80 minutes when a ball that was played forward was collected excellently by Tom Ashworth, he was immediately challenged unfairly on the edge of the box, which brought a free kick. Up stepped Charlie Attwell who blasted the ball towards the goal, it took a slight deflection, wrong footing the goalkeeper giving him no chance.

This sparked Stevenage into action with them starting to go longer towards their big striker, and on 90 minutes they equalised when, a superb cross caught Nathan Lang in 'No Mans Land' and the confusion allowed the ball to drop into an empty net, 1 -1

Thame kicked off and were immediately on the attack again, the ball was cleared but was put forward again and was met by Marcus Castano, his effort hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped to Dan Collins who made no mistake from 6 yards to win the game.

An excellent way to end the game for Thame and also the year.

Full time

Thame Academy 2 - 1 Stevenage Elite

Team

1 - Nathan Lang

2 - Asher Yearwood

3 - Bradley Young

4 - Max Hallam

5 - Bradley Stowe (Chris Bukaka)

6 - Charlie Attwell

7 - Amir Jafri

8 - Alex Rickard (Scott Chappell)

9 - Bertie Turvey (Dan Collins)

10 - Tom Ashworth

11 - Marcus Castano

12 - Chris Bukaka

14 - Scott Chappell

15 - Dan Collins

16 - Jack Kibble