Thame United 2 Abingdon Town 0

On a cold evening, but perfect playing surface, United started the stronger of the two sides, forcing Abingdon on to the back foot. Indeed, United took the lead with their first real opportunity with, on six minutes, Dan West (photo)collecting a pull-back on the edge of the box and confidently placing the ball wide of Tucker in the Abingdon goal. However, for the remainder of the half United were on the defensive with Abingdon enjoying a lot of possession but rarely threatening Higgs in the Thame goal.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with United extending their lead on 51 minutes. Matt Hall delivered a corner from the right that Aaron Rogers flicked on at the near post and captain Mitchell Meredith was on hand to deflect the ball in to the net, perhaps more by luck than judgment. The visitors went in search of a goal to get back in to the game and it was at this point that they encountered Higgs in fine form. Firstly, he made several confident takes from low shots skidding off the surface before diving acrobatically to save a goal bound header, and then pushing a shot on to the post. In between these efforts United had their own chances to extend the lead – Luke Ricketts went on a trademark run from within his own half on 72 minutes, beating the keeper with a drive only to see his effort come back off the post. Aaron Rogers followed-up, cutting inside two defenders and curling his shot against the bar. Still there was time for Town to hit the bar as they pressed forward and for Higgs to make a number of other fine stops.

In the end, United took all three points to maintain their unbeaten start to 2012 and consolidate their 8th place position.

United: Higgs, Willett, Hall, Meredith, Rhodes (N), Rhodes (A), Connelly, West, Rogers (Green), Stewart, Ricketts