Thame United 4 - 0 Milton Keynes Irish

Thame United were at home in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central when they welcomed Milton Keynes Irish for the return match in this season's competition. The two teams met back in September for another game under the lights, with Thame coming away with a 4-0 victory.

Manager Ben Williams made one enforced change to the starting line-up that took to the field against Potters Bar. With goalkeeper James Callan unavailable, he was replaced by 17-year-old Dan Starkey. Aydin Ulus was also absent from the squad through injury and was replaced on the bench by Ethan Holt.

Thame were full of confidence coming into the match, having had a good away victory, while the visitors came into the match on the back of a 5-0 defeat. It was the home side that started the strongest, forcing Milton Keynes back in the opening few minutes, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring after nine minutes. Ed Daffern picked up the ball in his own half and passed it out wide to Harry Alexander on the right. Alexander drove into the box, cut inside and fired a right-footed shot into the top-left corner of the goal.

It wasn't long before the second goal came, after 17 minutes. A Thame corner from the right wasn't cleared and, after some head tennis in the box, the ball fell to Jack Tutton on the left, just outside the six-yard box. He crossed towards goal, where an unmarked Ed Daffern had an easy tap-in to make it 2-0. Thame continued to press forward and, six minutes later, it was three. A corner on the left was played short by Jack Tutton to Ed Daffern, who laid it back. Tutton fired the ball towards goal; it took a slight deflection and nestled into the net. Thame's dominance was so great that they racked up a further twelve shots on goal in the opening period. They were only guilty of poor finishing, with the visitors managing just two shots and goalkeeper Dan Starkey pulling off comfortable saves. Somehow, the half ended with Thame only three goals to the good.

The second half started the same way as the first, with Thame missing a series of chances. First, Harry Alexander blasted over the bar from six yards out. Then, captain Mark Riddick headed over from inside the six-yard box. George Cleveland replaced Ed Daffern after 56 minutes, moving into the number nine position, with Roger James switching to the left wing. He was immediately into the action, getting on the end of a cross from the left, but his volley was over the bar. Jack Tutton shot wide of the goal after 61 minutes, following some good build-up play that found him on the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Roger James was played in on the left, inside the box, but his shot was well saved. Charlie Bacon replaced Roger James after 72 minutes, and Thame missed another great chance moments later. George Cleveland worked hard to pick up a loose clearance on the right-hand side. He played in Harry Alexander, unmarked inside the box, but Alexander placed his shot high and wide when he could have taken his time and picked his spot.

Thame made a double substitution after 78 minutes, with Jack Tutton and Dan West making way for Curtis Brown and Hayden Beadle. Ethan Lack then had a shot from the edge of the box well saved by the visitors' goalkeeper after captain Mark Riddick played him in. It was Hayden Beadle's turn next; a shot from the edge of the D was well saved, with the goalkeeper pushing it over the bar. The home side finally got their fourth after 83 minutes. The ball was played out to Curtis Brown on the right, whose cross went into the box along the edge of the six-yard box. George Cleveland, who had looked lively since coming on, got in front of the centre-back and steered the ball into the right-hand side of the net. The visitors could only manage three attempts in the second half, none of which were on target, with Thame's back four of Dan West, Fin Murray, Callum Hall and Josh Stranks doing an excellent job of snuffing out any threats from the opposition. There were four minutes of added time, which Thame easily navigated to wrap up a 4-0 victory. They will be kicking themselves that, with 31 attempts to Milton Keynes' five, they only scored four goals.

Attendance 107

Goals
Harry Alexander (9 minutes)
Ed Daffern (17 minutes)
Jack Tutton (23 minutes)
George Cleveland (83 minutes)

Team
1. Dan Starkey
2. Callum Hall
3. Josh Stranks
4. Finn Murray
5. Ethan Lack
6. Mark Riddick (C)
7. Ed Daffern (George Cleveland 56 minutes)
8. Jack Tutton (Hayden Beadle 78 minutes)
9. Roger James (Charlie Bacon 72 minutes)
10.Dan West (Curtis Brown 78 minutes)
11.Harry Alexander

Substitutes
12.George Cleveland
14.Charlie Bacon
15.Curtis Brown
16.Hayden Beadle
17.Ethan Holt