The red kites entertained Hadley FC at the ASM Stadium in the opening weekend of fixtures in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division 1. Manager Ben Williams made a number of changes from the previous weeks FA Cup tie, with Wiktor Makowski returning from injury while at the back Jordan Jenkins dropped out due to concussion picked up in the previous game, with Finlay Murray moving to centre back and Eric Mafuta coming in at right back.
The home team started the first half brightly Tyler Lawson and Finley Murray were assured on the ball playing out from the back with both full backs pushing on. Hadley came under pressure with Wiktor, Harry Williams and Alfie Anderson causing the away team all sorts of problems with their attacking runs against their back four. However it was the away team who had the best chance in the opening encounters, with a shot fired over the bar after a cross from the right hand side.
As the half went on Thame dominated the play with Etiel Goueth and Ollie Hogg controlling midfield and both full backs Oscar Lucey and Eric Mafuta overlapping to put more pressure on the Hadley back four. On 42 minutes Ben Kakembo was played through he turned the defender in the box and fired the ball into the net, to score his second of the season and put the Red Kites 1-0 up at half time, on the run of play a deserved lead for the home team, and could have been more with several missed opportunities.
Hadley made 3 changes at half time to try and bounce back, which paid off as they put more pressure on the Thame midfield and started to dominate the play and create chances, which on 52 minutes paid off when a free kick from the right hand side was played into the box and Moses Ndandni beat the defence to touch the ball home and level the match up. At this point the away team were in the ascendancy and had Thame on the back foot with Fred Chapman being called on to make a number of saves to deny the away team taking the league.
Ezra Forde replaced Alfi Anderson on 79 minutes, as the home team regained a foothold in the game and on 84 minutes restored the lead following a scramble in the box the ball fell to Ben Kakembo who fired the ball into the net, for his second of the game. Piece McNamara replaced Ben for the final few minutes to help see out the game although both teams had chances with Hadley heading over the bar and Wiktor having a shot saved by the Hadley keeper. After 7 minutes of added time the Referee blow the final whistle and Thame had got their season off to a winning start.
Next up is a tough away trip to Cirencester on Tuesday night at the Corinium Stadium we look forward to seeing those that can make.
