Another 3 points for Thame United

11th November 2024

Thame United welcomed Northwood FC to the ASM Stadium for this Pitching In Southern League Division One match, marking the first meeting between the teams since the 2017-2018 season. Manager Ben Williams faced a selection dilemma due to several injuries and suspensions, leaving the squad stretched thin. With no recognized center-backs available—Fin Murray was still recovering from an injury sustained against Dunstable, Leo Galpin had picked up a knock in training, and Phil Croker was recalled by Oxford City—the defense was makeshift. Dan West stepped into a back three alongside Jack Tutton and Brayden Daniel, both returning to the starting eleven. Rocko Tamplin also made a return to the bench.

Northwood kicked off, attacking from right to left. Thame quickly won back possession in their own half, launching a long ball to Curtis Brown on the right. Brown drove forward and crossed into the box, finding an unmarked Brayden Daniel on the penalty spot, who turned and slotted the ball into the left side of the goal with the goalkeeper stranded—1-0 to Thame just two minutes in. Northwood seemed unsettled, and moments later, Harry Alexander picked up the ball on the edge of the box but fired his shot over the bar. From a free kick in Northwood’s half, Dan West spotted the keeper off his line and attempted an ambitious shot that narrowly missed the post. Following a mix-up in the Northwood defense, Jefferson Louis gained possession, but his shot struck the post. Northwood’s first real attempt came in the 18th minute, but the shot was well off target. Thame doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Curtis Brown reacted quickly to a ball in the box, finishing with a neat strike. Northwood managed two further chances in the first half, but both were off target. At the other end, Alexander’s drive into the box deserved better than his shot rebounding off the post. Thame went into halftime leading 2-0 but had created enough chances to be comfortably ahead.

The second half saw Northwood pressing forward and winning a corner, which was taken short. The cross found Northwood's number nine unmarked in the six-yard box, and he slotted it home as the Thame defense momentarily switched off. Although Northwood held possession, they struggled to create clear chances. Thame nearly extended their lead in the 59th minute when Daniel connected with a cross, but his volley flew over the bar. Jefferson Louis then had a free header but failed to connect well, sending the ball wide. Daniel cut in from the right and fired a shot that was well saved at the near post, with the ball deflecting onto the post before being gathered by the keeper. Thame missed another opportunity to widen the margin in the 70th minute when Alexander was brought down in the box; he took the penalty himself but hit the top of the bar.

Northwood had one last opportunity toward the end, but their number seven’s shot went wide. Thame saw out the remaining minutes comfortably, and although the 2-1 scoreline looked close, the home side had little to worry about, as keeper Crowther had a quiet second half. Thame created enough chances to increase their lead and, given the lineup changes, secured a solid victory and another three points, maintaining sixth place in the league. Next, Thame will begin their Oxfordshire Senior Cup defense on Tuesday night at home to Adderbury Park, with kickoff at 19:45 at the ASM Stadium.

Man of the Match
Curtis Brown

Goals
Brayden Daniel (2 minutes)
Curtis Brown (22 minutes)

Team