The build up to this eagerly anticipated final has been immense. With Thame Rangers scooping a treble already this season and Thame Reserves out to spoil the party and reclaim the trophy they won in 2014, this was billed as the biggest game in both these sides seasons. An all Thame final, being held in Thame certainly brought in a decent crowd.
They were in for a very close game, both sides rarely troubling the oppositions keeper in the early stages. United did have the ball in the net but the linesman rightfully raised his flag for offside. When Rangers did get the ball down and broke at pace, Ryan Binnee in particular caused problems for the United defence.
Efforts from James Hickling and Shayne Almond came close, but the opener came on the half hour mark when a penalty was awarded to Rangers for a foul in the box. Almond stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way, giving Rangers the all important first goal of the game. A great battle continued for the remainder of the first half, especially between United striker Louis Cordice and Rangers defender Matt Wiles.
Half time - Rangers 1-0 United
The second half began with Rangers putting the pressure on, and most of the play coming in the United third of the field. But nothing that troubled Tapping in goal. United did however creap and hustle their way back into the game, with a few half chances for Cordice, one strike going just past Ashmead's post.
Rangers always looked a threat when playing out from the back and in particular when finding Binnee on the wing. He broke again late on and it looked as though he had made a great goalscoring opportunity only for the linesman to have called the ball out of play, and the ref awarded a goal kick.
Five minutes of stoppage time gave United hope of a late equaliser, but it wasn't to be and Rangers were crowned Oxfordshire County Cup champions, completing the quadruple. A fantastic achievement, Manager's Kev Poole and Richard Carr must be delighted with their team after a wonderful season. Credit also goes to Thame Reserves, who made it a close and competitive final.
Full time - Rangers 1-0 United
