Thame United were back in action in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One, for the first home game of 2025 when they welcomed Oxfordshire rivals North Leigh, After the midweek defeat to Hadley manager Ben Williams made a number of changes to the starting line up, Ty Deacon, Harry Alexander, Mark Riddick returned to the starting line up with Curtis Brown, Jefferson Louis and Ethan Lack moving to the bench.

Thame got the game under way kicking from left to right, and but the visitors under pressure from the start and it didnt take long for Thame to open the scoring on 8 minutes after a period of pressure, a shot from Ty Deacon rebounded to Jack Tutton whose first time shot from 25 years found the bottom right hand corner of the net. Tom McElroy then had a chance, picking the ball up in his own half running to the 18 and box, playing a one two with Harry Alexander but his shpt was just wide.

Thame doubled their lead on 17 minutes, a throwing to Thame midway into the North Leigh half on the left hand side was taken by Oscar Lucy who played the ball to Dan West, he laid the ball off to Tom McElroy on the 18 yard box, who then played a one two with Mark Riddick and shot which took a slight deflection wrong footing the North Leigh keeper. Brayden Daniel was then released into the box on the left, but his cross went straight achoo the 6 and area with no Thame player managing to get a shot. At the other end a long range effort from North Leigh was saved comfortably by Matty Crowther.

A third goal came on 37 minutes, a break from Brayden Daniel into the box saw him taken down by the advancing keeper and a North Leigh defender, the referee pointed to the spot and after a lengthy stop for the keeper to receive some treatment, Ty Deacon stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and place the ball in the bottom left hand corner. Thame made their first substitute on 39 minutes Fin Murray was replaced by Josh Stranks as the centre back had a tight hamstring. The home side nearly had a forth on the stroke of half time this time another ball into the box was cleared but fell to Tom McElroy just inside the 18 yard box, his first time shot was well saved by the North Leigh keeper tipping the ball overruns the line for a corner.

A dominate first half ended with Thame 3- 0 in the lead and should have been more with the chances missed.

The second half was very much attack vs defences with Thame camped in the North Leigh box and having the lions share of possession. There were early chances for Mark Riddick with a header, Brayden Daniel who was in one on one with the keeper who made a good save. And Leo Galpin who had a free head from a corner which went just wide. On 60 minutes Thame made a double substitution with Ethan Lack and Curtis Brown replacing Jack Tutton and Brayden Daniel, and Jefferson Louis replaced Tom McElroy on 70 minutes.

With the introduction of Curtis Brown on the left he was causing the visitors problems with his direct running and almost got onto the scoresheet, picking up a cross field ball from Ty Deacon but his goal bound shot was deflected wide for a corner. There were also chances for Mark Riddick whose header was straight at the keeper, Oscar Lucy shot saved by the keeper and chances for Ty Deacon and Harry Alexander, but has much as the home team tried they couldn’t find the net again and conceded a last minute goal, some sloppy play in midfield gave the ball away to a North Leigh player his pass found the winger who drove into the box on the left hand side and crossed into the box, only for Leo Galpin to connect with the ball and knock it over the line for an own goal.

A dominate display from the home side with the majority of possession but just couldn’t get their finishing boots on especially in the second half, and credit to North Leigh who battle for everything during the match.

The result means we close the gap on fifth place Barton rovers to 6 points with two games in hand.

Next up is a midweek trip to Kidlington on Wednesday 29 for this rearranged fixture from New Years Day.

Goals
Jack Tutton 8 minutes
Tom McElroy 17 minutes
Ty Deacon 37 minutes

Starting Eleven

1.Matty Crowther
2.Oscar Lucey
3.Leo Galpin
4.Jack Tutton (Ethan Lack 60 minutes)
5.Fin Murray (Josh Stranks 39 minutes)
6.Mark Riddick
7.Tom McElroy (Jefferson Louis 70 minutes)
8.Brayden Daniel (Curtis Brown 60 minutes)
9.Ty Deacon
10.Dan West
11.Harry Alexander

Substitutes
12.Jefferson Louis
14.Josh Stranks
15.Curtis Brown
16.Ethan Lack