THAME UNITED 1 vs CORBY TOWN 1
( GOSS 26) ( ANTON 86)
This fixture would give both sides a great opportunity to keep themselves in the playoff hunt come the end of April. Thame United went into this game 5th in the table whereas Corby were flying third with 61 points and with one of the top scorers in the division with Elliot Sandy on 24 league goals.
*** STARTING LINE-UPS ***
Thame United FC - Hill (GK), Mepham, Lynn, Essex, Gledhill, Ashworth, Martin, Sturgess (Capt), Goss, Fasanmade and Tack
Subs used – Peake-Pijnen, West and Murray
Corby Town FC – George (gk), Anton, Warburton, Carta, Gordon, Mulligan (Capt), Newell, Kennedy, Sandy, Diggin and Francis
Subs used – Crawford and Furtnam-Tomlinson
*** FIRST HALF ***
HT Score - THAME 1 – 0 CORBY
This was the second game in a row whereby Thame’s top scorer West would have to start from the bench due to injury. The pitch looked in great condition as always at the ASM Stadium but the windy conditions would prove to make today difficult for both sides.
The first chance in the match fell to Corby within 5 minutes when a through ball to Diggin was hit wide of the goal and great chance missed. Corby had the upper hand in the first 15 minutes and followed this up with a pass across the face of goal was again shot wide despite it being an open goal. Corby’s Kennedy was proving to be a handful in midfield and dribbled the ball up the right wing before a sublime cross was headed wide of goal. Both teams were trying to adjust to the strong winds, and Thame resorted to playing Goss as a lone striker. Corby’s defence was also on top in the early stages trying to catch Goss offside.
There was a real battle throughout the half between right back Mepham and left winger Francis and Corby continuously were trying to attack through Francis. Half way through the half Thame had a free kick taken by Tack which was put into a dangerous area and required the defender to head it away from goal which could only find Thame’s Martin picking up possession before being fouled outside the box. Thame now began to put the pressure on Corby from another set piece. Tack was the one to take the corner which found an un-marked Sturgess round the back to head the ball towards goal before the defence was able to clear the ball off the line. Fasanamde was working extremely hard in midfield tracking back and getting forward where possible. In the 26th minute he was able to step past a defender before getting in a shot which was bocked and the ball found Goss in the box who volleyed the ball into the net to give the Thame the lead. Thame continued to have chances and Essex from two corners was able to head the ball but not into the net. Essex had a further half a chance when Corby’s goalkeeper was on the floor but Essex’s half volley was hit over the bar from 22 yards out. Corby’s Kennedy and Francis were still looking threatening everytime they were on the ball and Fasanmade where possible did manage to disrupt the play of Francis. Fasanmade put in one of the passes of the match when a cheeky chipped ball found Tack inside the box which was headed wide. Corby finished the first half strongly when even from a goal kick the ball was headed down but no one was there inside the box for the follow up. We then saw the Craig Hill show, when he made 3 top class saves within 2 minutes each of them were saves to deny Corby a goal. Two were at full stretch to the side and the 3rd save was a header from a corner by Sandy which was a split second reaction save to tip the ball over the bar.
*** SECOND HALF ***
FT Score – THAME 1 – 1 CORBY
The second half begun in controversial style when Corby were denied a penalty appeal when Sandy appeared to be tackled late inside the box. Corby followed this up with 3 corners within the next five minutes each of them out into dangerous areas but could no one was able to attack the ball in the air. Thame even in the early stages were trying to slow play down on the ball and when the ball was out of play. Goss’ work rate did pay off when he got the ball and whilst dribbling from the wing nutmegged the defender before putting cross in which was cleared away for a corner. Fasanmade took the corner which found Essex again leaping high to attack the ball which had to be tipped over by George. Thame continued to play direct football to Goss in attempt to attack on the counter.
An excellent move by Corby saw Francis dribble round Mepham before crossing the ball to Sandy who headed wide of goal. The chance should have made it 1-1. Goss was making the Corby defence panic when he had the ball or was making attacking runs. This was followed up when Fasanmade in possession went past 2 defenders, cut inside before firing a shot on his weaker foot high and wide which was met by applause by the crowd. With 15 minutes remaining Corby continued to get the ball forward as quick as possible and Thame were dropping deeper and deeper and starting to show signs of fatigue. Corby were now able to have more time on the ball and finding it easier to find space off the ball. This was not helped when Thame continued to give the ball away and not giving the defence a rest from the continued attacking moves from Corby. Thame did make 3 subs in the second half bringing on Peake-Pijnen, West and Murray to try and freshen things up. The equaliser did come in the 86th minute whereby Thame were unable to clear the ball and a half volley was struck by right back Anton who drilled it across goal into the net to make it 1-1. Thame were able to absorb the pressure in the last few minutes to seal a hard earned point against a strong Corby Town team.
This game did not disappoint as both sides took it in turns to play strong attacking football but also a high level of work rate in defence. The result ending in a draw was definitely a fair result. This weekends fixtures has seen the table change dramatically. With results elsewhere Corby cling on to 3rd place in the table. Where as Thame drop from 5th to 8th place and there now appears to be a battle between 6 sides attempting to gain the final playoff spot.
*** MAN OF THE MATCH sponsored by @FIGARO’S BARBER in Thame ***
The Thame United Man of the Match selected by the fans today was a tough one. The decision was #10 Craig Fasanmade who showed great attacking flair and defensive work all over the field for the 90mins.
*** NEXT GAME ***
HOME @ The ASM Stadium
Tuesday 12/3/2019
Kick Off 19:45 -
Thame United v Peterborough Sports
EVO-STIK Southern Division One Central
