Thame United (1) 2 Lordswood (1) 3

It was an entertaining game between two evenly matched sides which was decided by a penalty.

The opening exchanges were even but the visitor’s went ahead after 7 minutes when a ball from the left was lifted over Thame heads finding Jordan Wells, who turned and hit a low shot into the corner of the Thame goal. United fought back, but had few chances until they equalised in the 23rd minute with the best goal of the match. Dan West was in space, 30-yards from goal, when he hit a quality shot high into the left corner of the visitor’s goal, bringing vigorous applause from Thame supporters and disbelief to the many Lordswood followers. Thame’s on-form keeper Lee Farrow made some good saves and it was 1-1 at the break.

United played with more fluency in the second half and created some good chances. The speedy Luke Ricketts was a constant threat with his runs on the left wing. Niall Hodgkins forced a good save from the visiting keeper and Ben Connelly was unlucky when he met a Matt Hall cross with a header which was narrowly wide. The visitors however went ahead, against the run of play, in the 71st minute when Gary Cook headed in a corner at the far post. Again united came back and equalised four minutes later. Ricketts took a free kick on the right, about 35-yards out, and Alex Stewart met the ball with his head, getting a slight deflection, sending it beyond the impressive visiting keepers reach.

The match was tied and, with 10 minutes remaining and a replay looked possible but unfortunately Nik Rhodes mistimed a tackle, and a penalty was awarded to the visitors. It was a tackle that, at most, deserved a yellow card but amazingly, and totally without justification, Rhodes was dismissed from the pitch. Lee Maskell took a good spot kick, giving Farrow no chance. Tension mounted as United again pushed for an equaliser but the exhausted Hodgkins missed a good chance and the keeper made a good save from a Stewart shot. Both Connelly and West went close, but the visitors held onto their lead, and will progress to the next round.

Thame United: Farrow, Barr, Hall, Meredith, Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart, Hodgkins (Gray), Ricketts.