Thame United progressed to the FA Vase first round proper at the ASM Stadium on Saturday when they defeated a physical Buckingham Athletic side 3-2.
They conceded two soft goals in a close first half but then dominated the game after the restart.
The visitors opened the scoring 3 minutes into the game when a low corner beat Thame defenders allowing visiting striker Phil Martin to tap in from close range. For a while Buckingham were creating the chances and had two near misses before United recovered to equalise in the 13th minute. The goal came from United’s first corner when the ball was only half cleared and a subsequent shot was blocked only to be followed up by another shot which the keeper parried but the ball ran lose to Alex Stewart who quickly turned and fired home from 10-Yards. United were beginning to settle and creating some good chances when they again conceded a goal from a corner. This time the ball appeared to cross the goal line direct from the in-swinging corner kick, although it may have got a slight touch. United countered and equalised in the final minute of the first half. Long throw specialist, Matt Willet, hurled the ball into the penalty area and it was knocked out to Connor Hayes whose first time shot was deflected down to bounce over the keeper into the roof of the net.
A few minutes after the restart willet forced a good save when the visiting keeper tipped the ball over the bar. United took the lead in the 57th minute when Ben Connelly passed the ball to Willet ‘on the overlap’ and he hit a perfect cross to Stewart, who confidently headed his second goal home from 5-yards. Thame were in control and, although goalkeeper Lee Farrow made some routine saves the visitor’s never looked like equalising. At the other end Connelly, Stewart and Hayes went close to increasing United’s lead.
The next round is scheduled for 15th October when Thame will be at home to either Fairford Town or Hook Norton, who drew on Saturday.