Welcome to United We Stand Match Reports Page

Report by Laurence Reade

Thame United (3)  (Perna pen, Thornton, Keen) vs Oxford Youth Team (1) (Beechers)

An Oxford United youth team shorn of many of its best players, fought hard but were always second best to their Isthmian League opponents. Don't let the substitutes fool you, Patterson had no intention of playing, and Blackstock  (who scored the 1st XI's goal against Walsall) and Alexis only turned up with 10 minutes to go.
 The visitors started brightly in the scorching heat and Beechers playing on the right side of attack,
looked lively, his trickery creating a shooting Quickly though Thame took control and despite
committed tackling took complete control of the match.
It was of no surprise when Tomkins brought down Stewart just inside the box, anmd Nando Perna slotted the penalty into the bottom left corner, sending Dixon the wrong way, with 18 minutes on the clock.
Soon after, Dixon got down well to parry away a Thornton shot, but on 40 minutes he was not to be
denied, thumping the ball past Dixon.
This spurred the young visitors, and a slick passing manoeuvre found Beechers on the right unmarked and this time his shot went inside of the post, to give his team a lifeline.
The second half saw the usual myriad of pointless substitutes but not before Thame had re-established
their 2 goal lead as Keen produced the move of the game by showing terrific control to beat 2 markers before slamming the ball into the bottom right corner.
Thame continued to press despite the play becoming disjointed with all the substitutions, and Gardner hit the post with a sharp shot.
The sad part of this game, entertaining though it was, is that I feel neither side will have learned much.
Beechers looks a good prospect, and Ciampoli looked the more experienced, as you'd expect. Hopefully we'll learn more on Tuesday.
Editors Note ( Sorry you never got to see Foster Play Loz.....Maybe next time), hehehe