Thame United 2 Flackwell Heath 2

Thame United played their first fixture of the new season at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening drawing 2-2 with Flackwell Heath. Despite continuous drizzle it was an entertaining game with both sides playing attractive football. The only new face in United’s starting eleven was impressive goalkeeper Lee Farrow, who played for the club in the 2006/7 season.
The opening exchanges were fairly even but then Thame started to put pressure on the visitor’s goal. On 12 minutes Adam Rhodes forced a first-rate save from the visiting keeper. United took the lead in the 20th minute when a ball from the right found Dan West who, with his back to goal, played a beautiful ball to Luke Ricketts who confidently thumped the ball home from 15-yards. The home side continued to have the better chances for the remainder of the half with both West and Connor Hayes going close.
The balance of play was reversed in the second half. The visitors equalised 5 minutes after the restart when, as Farrow rose to collect a corner, he was clattered by visiting midfielder John Issac forcing the ball from his grasp and allowing Issac to force it over the line. Most spectators were expecting the referee to blow for a foul on the goalkeeper, but amazingly he awarded a goal. Flackwell increased their lead with 15 minutes remaining when a 15-yard shot from Adam Dickens hit the Thame crossbar and rebounded into Dickens’s path allowing him to place the ball pass Farrow. In the final minute United were awarded a corner and, with nothing to lose, Farrow joined the attack. He met the corner with an effort which was blocked and, as the ball ran lose, there were further shots and blocks before West fired home from close range. The final whistle blew seconds later.
Thame United: Farrow, Willett (Hercules), Hall, Meredith, N. Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Barr (Lagan), A. Rhodes, Ricketts.
United are at home next Saturday (11th) when they face Newbury in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup. (KO 3.00)