Thame United 3–3 Exmouth Town

Thame United welcomed Southern League Division One South side Exmouth Town to the ASM Stadium in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Manager Ben Williams named the same side that won the midweek encounter with MK Irish, with Luke Tingey returning to the bench after recovering from injury.

Thame controlled the first half and took a deserved lead in the 17th minute. Jack Tutton opened the scoring after Exmouth failed to close him down, curling a right-footed shot into the net and leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Thame had further chances, with Roger James and Greg Hackett both going close during the opening period. The hosts will have been disappointed not to convert those opportunities, although it was an open game with chances at both ends.

The home side had a touch of fortune towards the end of the half when goalkeeper James Callan brought down one of the Exmouth attackers on the edge of the box. He received a yellow card but was fortunate not to see red. The resulting free kick came to nothing, and the half ended with Thame 1–0 ahead.

The second half got underway with Thame nearly doubling their lead. Roger James made a great run down the left flank, and although his shot beat the goalkeeper, it struck the far post.
However, Exmouth began to carry the greater threat and pushed the home side back, creating a number of chances. They drew level in the 56th minute when Ben Steer was fouled in the box. Tom Bath converted the resulting penalty, sending Callan the wrong way.
Thame made a double substitution, with Fin Murray and Hayden Beadle replaced by Luke Tingey and Jamie Davies.

The visitors then moved in front in the 66th minute when George Steer capitalised on a mix-up in the Thame defence. A missed header allowed the ball to fall to the Exmouth attacker, who ran through on goal and placed the ball underneath the diving goalkeeper.
Thame’s first-half control had given way to a much more even contest, with the momentum now favouring Exmouth.

Thame’s response was immediate. Harry Alexander raced onto a through ball and restored parity in the 77th minute. Greg Hackett then struck two minutes later to put the hosts back in front at 3–2, latching onto a ball played in behind the Exmouth defence before dinking it over the advancing goalkeeper.

Exmouth responded with sustained pressure. Goalkeeper Callan was called into action several times, while a goal-line clearance and further chances kept the result in doubt.
However, Exmouth finally found an equaliser in the 94th minute when Ross Edwards headed Owen Johnson’s corner into the net to make it 3–3.
Thame could not hold on for the final two minutes, meaning they will now have to make the long trip to Devon on Wednesday for the replay.

Attendance 156

Goals
Jack Tutton (16 minutes)
Harry Alexander (77 minutes)
Greg Hacket (82 minutes)

Team
1. James Callan
2. Callum Hall
3. Aydin Ulas
4. Finn Murray (Luke Tingey 68 minutes)
5. Hayden Beadle (Jamie Davie 68 minutes)
6. Mark Riddick (C)
7. Greg Hackett
8. Jack Tutton
9. Roger James (Curtis Brown 80 minutes)
10.Dan West
11.Harry Alexander

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