Ascot United (0) 1 Thame United (0) 1

However, it was no less than they deserved having dominated their hosts for the majority of the game, which saw them fail to capitalise on numerous chances.

With striker Alex Stewart unavailable due to injury, United moved to a 4-5-1 formation, with Aaron Rogers playing the lone striker role, and Dan West, Adam Rhodes and Connor Hayes forming a formidable trio in the centre of the park. With conditions worsening throughout the game, United opened brightly and forced the home side on to the back foot from the outset. However, whilst they enjoyed the majority of possession, United struggled to make the final ball count and there were few celar opportunities in the opening half and hour. Nevertheless, United thought they had taken the lead on 37 minutes when a Rogers drive from the edge of the box took a deflection that wrong footed the keeper. The shot, which gathered a lot of 'spin' from the deflection, bounced off the inside of the post and (according to home officials) over the line before bouncing back out. With United players questioning the match officials, Ascot went straight down the other end and had their best chance of the half, with the No 10 blasting over from 10 yards.

The second half opened in a torrential downpour, with United again pushing Ascot in to their own half. Chances came and went as Rogers, West, Ricketts and Connelly all had opportunities, and Ascot were rarely able to put the Thame defence under pressure. It was starting to look like one of those games for Thame, and this was seemingly confirmed in the 83rd minute when a mix-up in the Thame defence allowed striker Jon Bennett to run through clear on goal with keeper Nick Bennion out of the game. Bennett squared the ball for the Ascot substitute to side foot the ball in to an open goal. United pressed for an equaliser but it all looked to be to no avail until West went on a penetrating run before being tripped 10 yards outside of the box. West took the free kick, with the ball striking the hand of a defender in the wall. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and, following some delaying tactics by keeper Grace, captain Mitchell Meredith hit the perfect penalty, low in to the bottom left corner of the net to give the keeper no chance.

United: Bennion, Willett, Hall (Gray), N Rhodes, Meredith, Hayes, Connelly, West, Rogers, A Rhodes, Ricketts

Attendance: 54