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Pre Season Round Up

Pre Season Round Up

Martin Pacetti29 Jul - 17:04
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A successful preseason has been completed, next up FA Cup action

Thame United Pre Season Round Up

Preseason planing got underway in May and by beginning of June 7 friendlies had been arranged, the first five to be played at home on our the 3G pitch. With the last two scheduled on grass in the stadium.

Thame kicked off their preseason campaign on Saturday 6 July with a home friendly against step 5 side Milton United, Thame fielded two teams one in each half to give as many of the squad minutes on the pitch. Thame ended up with a 3 - 2 victory with goals from James Towell, Harry Alexander and Fin Murray.

Next up was a Tuesday night visit of Risborough Rangers on the 9 July, the game ending in a 1 - 1 draw, Thame fielded two teams in each half, with Harry Alexander again on the score sheet for the home side.

The next visitors to meadow view park on Saturday 13 July were Winslow United, who were newly promoted to the Spartan South Midlands Premier League this season, a good workout for Thame running out winners by 3 - 2, all goals were scored by Thame debutants, Chris Alcock, Fabian Garcia and Rocko Tamplin were on the scoresheet.

Mk Irish, were the next opposition, on the 16 July, a tough test from the step 5 team who narrowly missed out on promotion to step 4 last season. Although Thame had the lions share of the game and took a lead through new striker Tom McElroy with his first for the club. Mk Irish fought back to level the scores, and the game ended in a 1 - 1 draw.

Saturday 20 July saw a local derby against our neighbours, when Aylesbury Vale Dynamos came to Meadow View Park, Step 5 Aylesbury were ahead of Thame in the pre season schedule with their league campaign kicking off on the 27 July. After a close first half Thame eventually ran out winners by 4 - 2, goals from Fabian Garcia, Mark Riddick and two from Harry Alexander saw Thame over the line.

We were due to play Bedford Town on the stadium pitch on Tuesday 23 July but due to the grass not being quite ready the game reverted to the 3G, Bedford who were promoted to step 3 last season brought a strong squad. Thame equipped themselves well but suffered a 2 - 0 with goals in each half but had several chances to score. Overall it was a very encouraging performance against a team from a higher division.

Our final game of the preseason saw the team revert to grass and entertain step 3 Banbury United in the ASM stadium. Thame started the game well, on the front foot, dominating possession and creating several chances. Banbury came back into the game towards the end of the first half but a couple of scrambles in the Thame box resulting in a goal line clearance and some good saves from keeper Matthew Crowther kept the scores level. Thame took the lead late on in the first half when a cross from Harry Alexander was met by Mark Riddick whose header wrong footed the keeper. Thame doubled their lead in the second half when Tom McElroy, shrugged off two defenders to slide the ball past the out coming keeper. However Banbury fought their way back into the game and two late goals saw the final score end with a 2 - 2. An impressive performance for the home team, against the step 3 team.

So preseason complete with three wins, three draws and a defeat, but more importantly game time for the players and good momentum as we move on to the start of the season and an FA Cup tie against Aylesbury United.

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