Thame United’s title hopes took a huge setback on Saturday as Lydney Town came from two goals behind to seal what could be a decisive draw. United endured an horrendous three hour trek to Lydney, and a torrid second half as the hosts forced a well-earned draw.
With traffic delays around Oxford and an accident on the A40 west of Burford halting progress to Lydney, the match kicked-off at 3:15pm, only 30 minutes after United arrived at the ground. However, that did not seem to put the visitors out of their stride as they enjoyed the bulk of the possession and territory for the opening half, with Dan West twice going close in the early stages and Ben Connelly seeing a header clear the bar.
The opening goal eventually arrived for United on 25 minutes when a corner to the near post was flicked on and Matt Johnston headed home at the far post. It was nearly two shortly afterwards as top scorer Lynton Goss found space and drove an effort towards the far corner that Thomas in the Lydney goal did well to hold. The second goal arrived 8 minutes before the break when another corner was floated in to the box and dropped in front of Johnston who drilled the ball in to the roof of the net.
At half time Lydney introduced top scorer Declan Morley-Lyne and club captain Jamie Addis and only five minutes in to the half Morley-Lyne headed the ball in to the path of an unmarked Gibbs who finished confidently beyond Perkins. Ten minutes later and United failed to deal with a long throw with the ball falling to Pete Macklin who fired wide of Perkins and in to the back of the net. United then withstood some sustained pressure from the home side before starting to drag themselves back in to the game and, in the final ten minutes they had three good chances to take the points.
Firstly, Goss was put through on goal only for an advancing Thomas doing well to block the effort, before a corner was headed down and West drove goalwards with his effort cleared off the line. Finally a prone Ellis Hercules had a half chance from five yards out but his effort skewed wide.
United: Perkins, Evans (Gledhill), Lynn, Hercules, Johnston, Ashworth, Connelly, Goss (Gray), Morris, West, Ricketts
For the first time in three years, the Hellenic league title will go down to the last day of the season. The draw means that the title is no longer in United's hands and they must rely on Bracknell slipping up in order to be crowned champions. Both teams sit on 81 points with Thame second due to a 7 inferior goal difference.
Thame take a trip to bottom placed Henley knowing that a big win could swing the goal difference, while Bracknell host sixth place Highworth Town, which will be a far from easy encounter.
