United out of FA Cup

Although the score flattered the home side, Thame did not play to their abilities and and it was one of those games they should learn from, and then quickly forget. The game was played in a gusting wind with rain showers.

The opening exchanges were even with half chances at both ends. After about 10 minutes Ollie Lynch hit a 25-yard shot which was narrowly wide of the target. The home side took the lead in the 22nd minute when Ryan Brooks beat his defender and ran at goal before hitting a powerful shot which Lee Farrow did well to parry, but Darren Beckett picked up the loose ball and finished from close range. Thame were ‘on the back foot’ for a while as they struggled to penetrate the home side’s midfield. It was 1-0 at the break.

The visitors started the second half brightly and Lynch forced a good save from the home keeper. After 7 minutes, Thame found the back of the Ardley net only to see the ‘goal’ ruled offside. Ardley increased their lead in the 53rd minute when a slick passing move split Thame’s defence and Troy Bryan hit an accute 10-Yard shot, giving Farrow no chance. It was 3-0 ten minutes later when Ellis Hercules was harshly judged to have fouled Bryan in the box and Brooks scored from the penalty spot. The home side’s final goal came with 5 minutes remaining when a shot hit the crossbar and Beckett picked up the rebound to slot home. Thame’s goal came in the final minute from a Taylor Collins corner which led to a goalmouth scramble and Lynch forced the ball home from close range.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, P Pykett, Rhodes, Hercules, Hayes, Connelly, Lynch, Dell (Collins), Hodgkins, Goss (Ricketts).