Thame United 1 Ardley United 1
United were ultimately indebted to keeper Henry Craven in securing a point against a well organised Ardley United on Saturday.
The result maintains United’s unbeaten start to the league season with the point consolidating the second-place standing in the table, behind leaders Thatcham Town.
United nearly got off to the best possible start when, straight from the kick off, Luke Ricketts dispossessed the Ardley United full back and set up top scorer Andy Gledhill whose effort from the edge of the box flew over the bar. That, unfortunately, was as good as it got for United in a first half that was generally bereft of meaningful goal mouth action. Indeed, much of the match was contained in the central third of the pitch with the visitors enjoying the balance of possession, but rarely threatening Craven in the Thame goal.
The second half was a more lively affair, with United taking the lead eight minutes after the re-start. A goal mouth scramble following a United corner saw a Derek Feyi effort blocked before Gledhill managed to poke the ball through to Dan West who slid the ball under Farrow from five yards. The visitors struck back almost immediately when a cross from the left was flicked goalwards at the near post by Troy Bryan. Craven managed to get a hand to the ball but was unable to stop the ball from finding the back of the net.
Both sides continued to press, with Ardley defender Joel Meade clearing well on 72 minutes when substitute Melby Nsomi looked certain to get an effort in on goal before, 5 minutes later, Farrow pushed a Nsomi cross/shot over the bar. In the final few moments Craven did we to push a Jack Heap shot wide, before the same player hit an effort goalwards from 12 yards in the 93rd minute that brought a fine acrobatic save from Craven.
United:
Craven, Dugmore, Lynn, Harrison, Ashworth, Feyi, Connelly (Evans), Hayes (Nsomi), Gledhill, West, Ricketts
