Thame United extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches on Saturday with a hard fought 2-1 win at Egham Town
Jordon Davis, making his league debut, came in at Centre Back for the injured James McGowan, with the only other change from the side that drew 3-3 in midweek against Northwood, seeing Luke Ricketts replace Harry Mepham.
And it was Ricketts who was straight in to the action, forcing Bufton in the Egham goal to punch away a cross in the opening minute before, on 8 minutes, Ricketts hit a low shot that the keeper collected at the near post. On 10 minutes the home side had their first opportunity, when a free kick from a central position floated wide of the Thame goal. There then followed a period where Egham had the majority of possession, but they lacked any penetration with Davis, in particular, having a fine debut at Centre Back.
The deadlock was, however, brock on 31 minutes. Ben Sturgess won the ball just outside the centre circle and threaded a perfect ball through to Lynton Goss, who beat his marker with pace before coolly sliding wide of the on-rushing Bufton and into the corner of the net. Goss then nearly made it two, failing to connect properly with an intended lob before, on 34 minutes, Sturgess again found Goss just inside the box but his volley went wide. The final goal attempt of the half again saw Goss in action, this time striking an effort that was saved by Bufton at the near post.
Whilst the opening moments of the second half were fairly even, United gradually began to gain the upper hand and, on 60 minutes, a Ricketts ball in to the box found Sturgess whose first time effort was saved low to his right by Bufton. Two minutes later and Hill pulled off a fine save, pushing a curling effort wide before, on 75 minutes, Ricketts burst in to the box, pulling the ball back on to his favoured left foot, but seeing his effort blocked. Free kick specialist Dan West then had an opportunity on 78 minutes, but his effort was saved.
With 8 minutes of the match remaining the home side finally found a way past Hill when a dangerous ball in to the box by Liam Tack was met by Callum Webb who finished off the under-side of the bar. Hill then had to be alert when a shot from distance bobbled in front of him. Nevertheless, it looked as though United would have to settle for a draw, but with a minute of the match remaining Sturgess – not for the first time – fed the ball through to Goss who again beat his marker for pace and sublimely placed the ball wide of Bufton and in to the back of the net, to secure the win and three points to the delight of the visiting supporters.
United:
Hill, Evans, Lynn, Hercules, Davis, Ashworth, Connelly (Mepham), Goss, Sturgess, West, Ricketts.
