It was another midweek fixture in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division One for Thame United as they travelled to Bedfordshire to take on AFC Dunstable, for this rearranged fixture after the original fixture was postponed back in February. Manager Ben Williams made two changes to the last starting line up with Dane West and Brayden Daniel returning to the team replacing Leo Galpin and Curtis Brown, who reverted to the bench.

It was a high tempo start to the game with Dunstable playing the ball around well and gaining the upper hand in possession in the opening minutes, without really testing the Thame goal. The first meaningful attempt fell to the home side on 13 minutes with a long range shot going just wide, followed by another effort into the side netting. Dunstable were looking to play out from the back at every opportunity, and were using the ball well when they did. Thames first real attempt came on 27 minutes when a goal bound shot was cleared off of the line with the keeper beaten, two minutes later a free kick was played into the box by Jack Tutton, but no Thame player was able to get a touch on the ball. Captain Mark Riddick when into the referees book on 33 minutes for reckless tackle, followed quickly after by Lewis Thorne, pulling the Dunstable left winger back after a promising attack. It was Thames turn to clear the ball off the line with a goal mouth scramble resulting in the ball being hacked away to safety. Keeper Matty Crowther was then forced to make his first meaningful save to deny the home side the lead. The final action of the half saw a header from Mark Riddick on the right hand side agonisingly go past the far post with the keeper beaten. A half with few clear cut chances sees it 0 - 0 at the break.

It was a cagey start to the second half, both teams having spells of possession but not creating anything, however Thame were starting to look more dangerous on 55 minutes Jack Tutton picks up the ball just out side the area but his shot is wide, Greg Hackett then has a good chance but his shot is deflected for a corner and then picks up a yellow card for something he said to the referee. Thame make their first substitutes of the afternoon, with Jefferson Louis and Oscar Lucey coming on for Jack Tutton and Lewis Thorne. The visitors were creating more chances as another shot comes in but is over the dunstable bar. Dunstable were continuing to play the ball around but Thame were threatening on the counter attack. Dunstable created a couple of half chances but good defensive work saw shots blocked before getting through to keeper Crowther.

As the game enter the final quarter it was Thame in the ascendency, Brayden Daniel shot was well saved by the Dunstable keeper on 73 minutes, Greg Hacketts Header was also saved by the keeper on 75 minutes, then a great block from Fin Murray to deny Dunstable a shot on target, Thame’s best chance of the game came on 86 minutes, some good work by Jefferson Louis driving in to the box, his cross was met by the head of Gregg Hackett, but his header was cleared off the line by a Dunstable defender, for the final few minutes Rocko Tamplin and Curtis Brown replaced Brayden Daniel and Greg Hackett, 4 minutes of added time were played out without any more attempts. On the balance of play in the second half and chances created Thame were unlucky not to come away with all 3 points, but a battling display from a good Dunstable outfit meant in remained goaless at the end of the match.

Starting Eleven

1.Matty Crowther
2.Lewis Thorn (Oscar Lucey 61 minutes)
3.Josh Stranks
4.Fin Murray
5.Ethan Lack
6.Mark Riddick
7.Greg Hackett (Curtis Brown 78 minutes)
8.Jack Tutton (Jefferson Louis 61 minutes)
9.Ty Deacon
10.Dan West
11.Brayden Daniel (Rocko Tamplin 87 minutes)

Substitutes
12.Rocko Tamplin
14.Jefferson Louis
15.Oscar Lucey
16.Leo Galpin
17.Curtis Brown

Attendance 102