It was game week 34 as Thame united welcome fellow play off contenders Barton Rovers to The ASM Stadium in the Pitching In Southern League Central Division one match, both teams go into the match on a good run of form Barton unbeaten in 8 with Thame unbeaten in six. Manager Ben Williams kept the same starting eleven that started the midweek game at Dunstable, with one change on the bench, Tyrone Lewthwaite the recent new signing replacing Rock Tamplin on the bench.

With the weather good, not a could in the sky and the pitch in good condition, Thame got the game underway kicking from left to right in the first half with the wind and the sun behind them. It was Barton who had the first chance, on 2 minutes the Barton number 10, picking up the ball on the edge of the box, but his shot was over the bar Barton. Thame fought back with three corners in the opening minutes, but couldn’t create anything from them. Barton then won a free kick on the edge of the home sides box, but the shot was saved by keeper Matty Crowther. Then on 16 minutes another chance fell to the visitors but the header floats over the bar. It had been a robust first 20 minutes with the sides evenly matched and a number of strong tackles flying in. It wasn't long before the first yellow card was issued to a Barton player who went into the referees book for pulling down Ty Deacon just inside the Barton half.

First clear chance for Thame came on 22 minutes, a long ball is held up by Ty Deacon who knocks the ball down in the area but Greg Hackett shoots over the bar. On 24 minutes Ethan Lack goes down under the challenge from the Barton number 9, looked like a clear elbow in the face, Thame players and Management were not happy, as it was not the first time this has happened, the referee gave the free kick but nothing else. The home side were starting to grow into the game and getting the upper hand with chances created, and the best chance came on 27 minutes Ty Deacon picked the ball up edge of box shoots but the away keeper makes an excellent one handed save low down, it looked like it was the opening goal, A few minutes later Fin Murray goes into the book for bringing down the Barton number 9, it had been a real battle between the two in the opening minutes. Brayden Daniel created another chance with another break down the left hand side on 35 minutes but his shot is wide and on 42 minutes great dribble from the same player down the right wing again, with the cross finding Greg Hackett, but his goal bound shot is deflected for a corner. Then another good chance for Thame who won a free kick on the left just inside the Barton half, Jack Tutton floats the ball into the box, its won by Fin Murray who’s knock down finds Mark Riddick on the edge of the 6 yard, but his shot is over the bar. That was it for first half action as the referee blows the whistle, in what has been at times a feisty encounter both teams battling hard, with Thame just on top on the chances created.

Barton got the second half under halve under way, a cagy opening few minutes with neither side creating any chances, It was the home side who had the first chance of the second half with another direct run form Brayden Daniels, but his shot flies over the bar. Then on 61 minutes, there was a bizarre scene as two of the sprinklers came on in the Thame half and the referee had to halt play while they were turned off. Barton were now starting to get on top in the game pinning the home side back in their own half. Keeper Crowther pulls off a save from a Barton header, then the visitors number 10 picks up the ball and fires over the bar. Thame made there first change on 68 minutes with Jefferson Louis coming on to replace Jack Tutton. Followed shortly afterwards by Tyrone Lewthwaite making his debut for Thame replacing Brayden Daniels. The home side had three strikers on the pitch now as they tried to score the vital goal. Greg Hackett then losses the ball back on the edge of the Thame box and gives away a free kick in a dangerous position and picks up a yellow card, trying to win the ball back The free kicks comes to nothing, but moments later their were two more chances for the visitors one over the bar and the other blacked.

The home side were then angry when the referee awarded a free kick when Ethan Lack was bought down, the ball had already been played forward and Thame found them self with a two on one situation but no advantage was given. Captain Mark Riddick found himself in the referees book with the ensuing protest. The final and best chance of the half came in the final minutes of the game, Thame won a corner on their left which was delivered into the box, the Barton keeper punched the ball clear and the home side are caught on the counter attack, the break on the right creates a two on one situation as the Barton number 18 crosses into the box where the number 4 is unmarked on the penalty spot but his first time shot is fired over the bar.

6 minuted added time couldn’t see anymore chances created and it ended 0 - 0, both teams had given it everything in a hard fought physical match, with Thame shading the forst half and Barton the second and overall a draw was probably a fair result. Next up for Thame is a home match on Tuesday night against Enfield FC, this is their game in hand over the teams around them.

Man of the Match
Dan West
Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
41 min - good effort from Ty after being put through by Mark. We are in this.
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
38 mins - 1-0 to Stotfold against the run of play.
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
37 min - Curtis is put over the top but it’s a difficult chance.
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
36 min - great energy and drive from Ethan creates a chance for Ty.
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
25 mins - it’s pretty even out here. Both teams battling for the upper hand.
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
20 mins - 0-0.
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
11 mins - connectivity is slow!!
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Thame United FC
@thameunitedfc
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16h
7 mins - Goal for Thame … disallowed for a foul

Starting Eleven

1.Matty Crowther
2.Lewis Thorn
3.Josh Stranks
4.Fin Murray
5.Ethan Lack
6.Mark Riddick
7.Greg Hackett (Curtis Brown 82 minutes|)
8.Jack Tutton (Jefferson Louis 68 minutes)
9.Ty Deacon
10.Dan West
11.Brayden Daniel (Tyrone Lewthwaite 78 minutes)

Substitutes
12.Tyrone Lewthwaite
14.Jefferson Louis
15.Oscar Lucey
16.Leo Galpin
17.Curtis Brown

Attendance 154