Thame United are currently second in the Hellenic League after securing an 8-1 victory for the second time this season, this time against neighbours Oxford City Nomads.
The only change from the draw with Bracknell Town in midweek saw the return of captain Connor Hayes for Matt Johnston. And United soon settled in to their stride and opened the scoring on 5 minutes. Lynton Goss made a powerful run down the right before pulling the ball back to Dan West who side-footed in to the bottom corner, wide of Lawrence. The lead was almost extended five minutes later when Lawrence did well to push a Hayes header wide.
The second goal arrived on 21 minutes with Andy Gledhill finishing confidently before, only three minutes later, Goss got in on the act, forcing the ball home from close range. Gledhill then got his second on 32 minutes as United continued to press the visiting side, who themselves were rarely troubling Craven in the Thame goal. The visitors were then reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of McKirnan following a rash challenge on the half way line.
United started the second half strongly with, inside the opening three minutes, Gledhill firing wide when well placed, before a Goss effort was well saved by Lawrence. The fifth goal arrived on 55 minutes with a diving header from West from a Goss corner. Two minutes later and Luke Ricketts robbed Lawrence before squaring the ball to West who had an open goal to secure his hat trick and the sixth for United.
Gledhill followed suit with his third on 63 minutes, again winning the ball before placing his effort wide of Lawrence. The eighth goal arrived on 75 minutes with substitute Melvy Nsomi scoring his first goal for the Club, hitting a powerful drive wide of Lawrence from 15 yards. To their credit Nomads never gave up and secured a consolation goal on 82 minutes, with Connor Mattimore finishing from close range.
The win moves United up to second with games in hand on leaders Binfield. Next up for United are Faringdon Town in the league Challenge Cup on Saturday.
United: Craven, Evans, Dugmore, Hayes, Feyi.D (Bailey), Ashworth, Connelly, Goss (Lynch), Gledhill, West, Ricketts (Nsomi)
