Thame United welcomed Northwood FC to The ASM Stadium for this Pitching In Southern League Division One tie, the first time these two teams had met since the 2017 / 2018, manager Ben Williams had a selection dilemma ahead of the game with a number of injuries and suspensions leaving the squad very thin on the ground. There were no recognised centre backs in the team today, with Fin Murray still recovering from the injury he sustained against Dunstable, Leo Galpin picked up a knock in training and Phil Croker had been recalled by Oxford City for their match day squad. Also missing was striker Tom McElroy who was serving a one match suspension for picking up five yellow cards. So it was a makeshift back line with Dan West dropping into a back three, with Jack Tutton and Brayden Daniel returning to the starting 11. There was also a return to the bench for Rocko Tamplin.

Northwood got the game underway kicking from right to left, Thame won the ball back in there own half and a long ball found Curtis Brown on the right he drove forward and crossed into the box to find an unmarked Brayden Daniel on the penalty spot he turned and passed the ball into the left had side of the goal with the keeper stranded, 1 - 0 Thame after just two minutes. Northwood were rattled a few minutes later Harry Alexander picked up the ball on the edge of the box but his shot was over the bar. Then from a Thame free kick just in the Northwood half Dan West spotted the keeper off of his line and launched the ball, with the keeper trying to get back the ball just went wide of the post. From the resultant goal kick a mix up trying to play out from the back found the ball falling to Jefferson Louis but his shot hit the post. It wasn’t till 18 minutes in that Northwood had their first shot, but the attempt was well wide. On 22 minutes Thame had their second this time the ball was played into the box and Curtis Brown was first to react with a neat finish. Northwood had two further chances in the first half but both shots were wide of the goal and at the other end Harry Alexanders run into the box deserved better than the shot rebounding off of the post. The half ended with Thame 2 - 0 in the lead but on chances created should have been out of sight.

The second half began with Northwood pushing forward and managed to win a corner, which was taken short , the ball was crossed into the box and for once the Thame defence switched off, allowing the Northwood Number nine to pick up the ball inside the six yard box and slot home. Although the visitors were playing well and holding possession they weren’t creating much, and Thame had the next golden opportunity, on 59 minutes the ball was crossed into the box and Daniel, was first to the ball, but his first time shot on the volley was over the bar. Jefferson Louis then had another chance from a free header but didnt have a great connection and the ball was wide. Then Daniel cut in on the right but his shot was well saved at the near post with the ball deflecting onto the post and then gathered by the keeper. Thame had another opportunity to extend their lead on 70 minutes, when Harry Alexander was brought down in the box, he picked himself up to take the spot kick, but his effort clipped the top off the bar and flew over. Northwood had one more chance towards the end of the half but a shot from their number seven was well wide.

Thame saw out the remaining minutes comfortably, and although the 2 - 1 score seemed close in fairness there was little threat on the Thame goal with keeper Crowther having little to do in the second half, and the home side and enough clear chances to increase their lead. But with the changes Thame had to make, it was overall a good victory and another three points keeping the team sixth in the league. Next up on Tuesday night is the start of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup defence at home to Adderbury park on Tuesday night kick off 19.45 at the ASM stadium.

Man of the Match
Curtis Brown

Goals
Brayden Daniel (2 minutes)
Curtis Brown (22 minutes)

Team
1.Matthew Crowther
2.Josh Stranks
3.Oscar Lucy
4.Jack Tutton
5.Jefferson Louis (Fabian Garcia 73 minutes)
6.Mark Riddick
7.Greg Hackett (Rocko Tamplin 88 minutes)
8.Curtis Brown
9.Brayden Daniel
10.Dan West
11.Harry Alexander (Ollie Hogg 79 minutes)

Substitutes
12.Rocko Tamplin
14.Ollie Hogg
15.Fabian Garcia