Thame United started off their 2024 / 2025 season when they welcomed Aylesbury United to the ASM stadium in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, with the winners only dreaming that in nine months time they could be in the final.
Thame entered today’s match on the back of a good pre season and a squad that had been together since early July. Today’s starting line up contained only four players who finished the last game of the season, with Oscar Lucy, Jefferson Louis, new captain Mark Riddick and Harry Alexander in the team.
With Archie Davis suspended we welcomed Matthew Crowther making his debut between the sticks. In defence Josh Stranks at right back and Leo Galpin centre back made there first starts. Fabian Garcia and Alfie Tucker were midfield debuties and Rocko Tamplin and Tom McElroy came into the front line.
The first half got under way with Thame kicking from right to left, and were immediately on the front foot pushing Aylesbury back Fabian Garcia had an early chance but his shot was deflected for a corner.
At the other end Aylesbury had a couple of half chances, with keeper Crowther called into action. Thame took the lead on 25 minutes, following an Aylesbury corner a counter attack found Tom McElroy free on the right hand side he rounded the keeper and squared to an unmarked Rocko Tamplin who sided footed into an empty net.
Alfie Tucker then saw his free kick hit the upright with the keeper beaten before Thame doubled their lead on 39 minutes, a corner from the right hand side was headed in by Jefferson Louis.
The half ended with Thame 2 - 0 up, and relatively comfortable, with Aylesbury restricted to a couple of half chances.
No changes at the break and as the minutes ticked on Thame were in control of the match and looking good value for the lead.
Mark Riddick picked up a yellow card on 56 minutes, pulling an Aylesbury player back after the had broken away in midfield, with Tom McElroy pick up another yellow for a similar offence.
Thames first change came on 59 minutes with Reece Cameron, coming on for Alfie Tucker who had had a solid display in midfield, Curtis Brown replaced goalscorer Tamplin on 66 minutes, with Thame in cruise control and dominating play, Brown was unlucky on 72 minutes as he broke on the right hand side cut in and fired a fierce shot which beat the Aylesbury keeper only to see his shot bounce down off of the cross bar onto the line and cleared away. Not long after, on 80 minutes it was three, no more than the home side deserved. Man of the match Fabian Garcia stole the ball off of the Aylesbury right back drove into the box and squared the ball to Reece Cameron who slotted the ball into the net from close range..
Tom McElroy who had put in a real shift up front was replaced by Dan Naylor and Garcia made way for Dani Lucas, to see out the final few minutes with 4 minutes of additional time, Thame comfortably saw out the final few minutes to deservedly come away with a 3 - 0 victory and another home tie in the next round against Beaconsfield Town.
Goals
Rocko Tamplin - 25 minutes
Jefferson Louis - 39 minutes
Reece Cameron - 80 minutes
Todays Line up
1.Matthew Crowther
2. Josh Stranks
3. Oscar Lucy
4. Leo Galpin
5. Jefferson Louis
6. Mark Riddick (Captain)
7. Fabian Garcia (Dani Lucas 85 minutes)
8. Alfie Tucker
9. Tom McElroy (Dan Naylor 83 minute)
10.Rocko Tamplin (Curtis Brown 66 minutes)
11. Harry Alexander
12. Fin Murray
14. Dani Lucas
15. Curtis Brown
16. Dan Naylor
17. Reece Cameron
18. Louis Fontain
19. Matt Clifford
