Points shared in a hard fought battle in Hertfordshire

20th January 2025

Thame United were back in action in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One as they traveled to Hertfordshire to take on seventh-placed Welwyn Garden City.

This was the team’s first competitive match in 21 days, following four postponements during that time. Captain Mark Riddick was absent due to illness, Ollie Hogg was sidelined with a knee injury, and Greg Hackett was unavailable. This meant debuts for new signings Ethan Lack in midfield and Ty Deacon up front.

On a cold afternoon in Hertfordshire, Welwyn started the game strongly, forcing three consecutive corners. The third corner saw the ball played into the box, and after a scramble, the Welwyn number 11 managed to poke it into the net. It was 1–0 after 10 minutes. As the first half continued, Welwyn dominated the game and created several chances, with keeper Matty Crowther called into action multiple times. The first 20 minutes belonged to Welwyn, and they could have been more than one goal ahead.

However, Thame gradually grew into the game and began to challenge the home team's defense. In the 25th minute, the visitors equalized. The ball was played over the top on the left-hand side to Brayden Daniel, who got in behind the Welwyn defense. He beat the fullback and crossed the ball to find Ty Deacon in the box, who tapped it home.

Shortly afterward, Thame thought they had taken the lead. Harry Alexander picked up the ball on the edge of the right-hand side of the box, ran through on goal, and took a shot that seemed destined to score, but the keeper somehow managed to touch it around the post. Thame eventually took the lead in the 29th minute. Another run behind the right fullback by Brayden Daniel resulted in a cross that found an unmarked Dan West, who slid in and knocked the ball into an empty net.

The visitors were in the ascendency, pushing the home side back and causing problems. They had further chances to score, but the half ended with Thame leading and looking good value for their dominant display in the last 25 minutes of the first half.

The second half started more evenly. Welwyn threatened, but Thame’s corner count was rising, albeit without a finished product. In the 59th minute, Welwyn had a big chance to level the score. Indecision in the Thame defense led to a back header failing to reach keeper Crowther, who brought down the Welwyn striker running onto the ball. The referee awarded a penalty. However, Crowther made amends with a fine save to his right and followed up by saving the rebound.

Moments later, another chance fell to the home side, but once again, Crowther produced a good save. As the half progressed, Welwyn began to dominate play and looked increasingly likely to score. Their equalizer came in the 74th minute. A dubious free kick was awarded just inside the Thame half, and the ball was launched into the box. The Welwyn number 9 was left unchallenged and scored with a free header into the roof of the net.

The final 10 minutes were end-to-end, with both teams creating chances. The visitors were unlucky not to take all three points, with Brayden Daniel breaking into the box only for his shot to be well saved by the Welwyn keeper. Jefferson Louis had a similar chance, but his shot hit the side netting. The referee added four minutes of stoppage time, during which the home side had the final chance—a diving header saved by Crowther.

The game ended in a 2–2 draw, Thame's first draw of the season. On the balance of play, it was a fair result.

Next up for Thame is another tough away trip to fifth-placed Hadley on Tuesday night.

Man of the Match
Brayden Daniel (Two Assists)

Goal Scorers