Thame United 0-1 Eastbourne Borough ( att : 415 ) - 2026/27 FA Cup

October 3, 2026

After Thame’s convincing 3-0 victory over Beaconsfield Town in mid-week, they now faced a much more formidable foe in the shape of step 3 Eastbourne Borough in the 3^rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Thame would be looking to reach the 4^th Qualifying Round for only the third time in their history.

Thame Update

After failing to win their first two games of the season, Thame had been on a good run, progressing through three rounds of the FA Cup to get to today’s fixture, whilst they had won twice in the FA Trophy before narrowly exiting the competition after a 1-2 home loss to step 3 Chichester City.

Three consecutive league wins had also been recorded to leave Thame with a 3-1-1 record. Thame had scored 33 times in 12 matches so far this season, and with 16 goals conceded, there had been an average of over 4 goals in Thame’s games !

Harry Alexander was the leading scorer with 9 goals, followed by Greg Hackett and Ed Daffern on 5, with Roger James finding the net 4 times.

Eastbourne Borough Background

Eastbourne is a coastal town in East Sussex with a population of over 100,000. It has a reputation of where people go to retire, and sports wise, is most famous for its pre-Wimbledon tennis tournament. Despite growing up in Sussex, Fatbear had never been to Eastbourne, but had visited nearby Beachy Head.

Eastbourne is unusual in being a town with three sides in steps 1 to 6 in the non-league pyramid, Borough ( step 3 ), Town ( step 4 ) and United ( step 5 ), with Biggleswade the only possible comparison.  

Home is the 3,622 capacity Priory Lane, which for sponsorship reasons is now The Connect Management Stadium. The club’s nickname is The Sports and their first-choice colours are all red.

Eastbourne Borough were formed in 1965 as Langney Sports, with Langney being the suburb of Eastbourne they were located in. The club joined the newly formed Division 3 of the Sussex County League in 1983 and in 1999/00 they won Division One to earn promotion to the Southern League Eastern Division, which at the time was step 3 in the non-league pyramid.

The club changed its name to Eastbourne Borough in 2001, and two seasons later won promotion to the step 2 Southern League Premier Division. In the league restructuring for 2004/05 Borough were placed in the newly formed Conference South, and a 2-0 victory over Hampton and Richmond in the 2007/08 promotion play-off final saw The Sports promoted to the National Conference.

Borough enjoyed three seasons at the highest level of non-league football before being relegated at the end of the 2010/11 season. Eastbourne then spent 15 seasons back in Conference South, twice losing in the promotion play-offs, until suffering an unexpected relegation last season after coming last with only 9 wins and 36 points.

Borough had reached the 1^st Round proper of the FA Cup on five occasions, the most recent being in 2020/21 when they lost 0-3 at home to Blackpool. Sports first appearance in the 1^st Round was in 2005/06 when they drew 1-1 with League Two Oxford United and lost the replay 0-3. In 2007/08, Eastbourne lost 0-4 at home to Weymouth, who at the time were playing in one division higher, whilst in 2008/09 Borough drew 0-0 at home with fellow Conference side Barrow, and again lost the replay 0-3. Their other tie was in 2017/18 when they suffered a heavy 0-7 defeat at Conference League side Braintree Town.

Eastbourne Borough This Season

Eastbourne Borough were relegated into the Isthmian League Premier Division and began the season by going unbeaten in their opening three games, drawing 2-2 at Aveley and winning 3-2 at home against both Three Bridges and Brentwood Town. They then lost three in a row, 1-2 at Cray Wanderers, 0-1 at home to Leatherhead and 0-1 at Lewes.

The FA Cup provided some welcome relief with a 4-2 victory at step 3 Whitehawk, which was the start of their current run of 5 consecutive wins, beating Cheshunt 3-0 and Chatham Town 2-1 at home in the league, then step 4 Windsor & Eton 3-0 in the FA Cup and last weekend step 4 Welwyn Garden City 4-2 in the FA Trophy.

Eastbourne’s 4-1-3 league record meant they were 10^th in the table going into today’s cup match. Their average attendance so far was 821, the 8^th best in their division, and down from the 958 average last season and 1,304 the year before.

Eastbourne Borough Squad

The top scorer for Sports in all competitions was ex-Peterborough United, Aldershot Town and Chelmsford City midfielder Kai Corbett with 8 goals, with ex-Gillingham and Hornchurch striker Liam Nash next on 4 goals.

The most familiar name to Fatbear in the Eastbourne squad was ex-Wycombe and Aldershot US born centre-back Giles Phillips, who played for Oxford City in their one season in the National League in 2023/24, whilst ex-Brighton Under 21 full-back Matthew Hayden was not to be confused with the barrel-chested Australian opening batsmen of the same name !

Swiss striker Gold Omatayo appeared in these diaries for King’s Lynn Town last season at Oxford City, whilst forward Darren McQueen appeared as a substitute for Ebbsfleet United at Oxford City in 2024, and was playing for Hornchurch last season. Forward Shayon Harrison appeared in these diaries for Romanian side Politehnica Iasi and had also played for Melbourne City, Almere, UTA Arad, AC Oulu and Tatran Presov after being released by Tottenham as a youngster.

Ex-Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Bromley, Aldershot, Boreham Wood and Dagenham and Redbridge midfielder Josh Rees was another plying his trade at Hornchurch last season, and midfielder Max Sheaf had previously played for Hull City, Cheltenham, Ross County and Gateshead.

Midfielder Craig Eastmond played nearly 300 games for Sutton United but before that had played for Millwall, Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers, and keeper Lewis Carey was back with The Sports after a spell with Horsham. Terrell Egbri started his career with Southend United, before going on to play for Malden & Tiptree and Czech side MFK Vyskov.

The Sports manager was Steve King, who established his reputation at Sussex sides Lewes and Whitehawk by punching well above their weights, and also had spells at Farnborough, Dartford, Macclesfield, Welling, Gloucester City and Hednesford Town on his CV.

Watching Eastbourne Borough

Eastbourne Borough had featured once before in these diaries when they visited Oxford City on the opening day of the 2022/23 National League South season and came away with a 3-1 victory.  However, Oxford City went on to finish 3^rd at the end of the regular season and achieved promotion to the National League via the play-offs, whereas Borough missed out on the play-off after ending in 8^th place.

 The previous time Fatbear had seen Eastbourne Borough play was also at Oxford City, when the two sides met in the 4^th Qualifying Round of the 2008/09 FA Cup, when Conference League Eastbourne overcame Southern League opposition 1-0 in a very even match. My memory of the game was that the Eastbourne line-up that day included Ashley Barnes, on loan from Plymouth, who had since gone onto play over 200 games in the Premiership for Burnley, but was totally anonymous that day. However, there was a good reason for Barnes failing to make an impression, as checking the programme for the match he didn’t play ! Presumably Plymouth didn’t want him to be cup-tied so instead it was a side packed with ex-Crawley Town players that edged to victory over a side two levels below them.

 

Matchday Information

According to AA route planner, the journey from Eastbourne Borough to Thame’s ASM Stadium is 122 miles and should normally take two hours 15 minutes via the M23, M25 and M40. A healthy number of Sports fans had made the journey.

At the 15.00 kick-off the weather was dry and the temperature was 20 degrees.

Attendance was £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for Under 16s. The programme was online but there were no free team-sheets available.

Thame made two changes from the side that beat Beaconsfield in mid-week with the return of Greg Hackett and Hayden Beadle, with Ed Daffern dropping to be bench and Ethan Lack cup-tied.

Eastbourne Borough made one change from the victorious side over Welwyn Garden City, with Eastmond replacing Sheaf.

Borough were playing in a change kit of all purple with pink sleeves, whilst Thame were in their usual red and black stripes.

Match Report

Thame kicked off defending the ring-road end and quickly won a throw-in mid-way inside the Borough half. Callum Hall’s long throw was headed on by Mark Riddick but Carey easily saved.

Eastbourne responded with Arthur Grout have a long range shot blocked, and the effort by Rees from the rebound bounced slowly wide.

Hackett then made a strong run and invited Harry Alexander to run into the Borough area, but he made a slight touch on the back of centre-back Freddie Carter, who crashed to the floor and won the free-kick. Shortly after Hall ran from inside his own half but Alexander was unable to control the through ball which would have put him clear on goal.

The home side were looking lively, as Joshua Stranks charged down the touchline but after being surrounded by three defenders near the corner flag, he somehow managed to pass to Alexander, who played a low ball across the face of the goal, but Roger James could only air-kick to waste a great chance.

In the 9^th minute McQueen did well to cross from the right-wing but Rees headed high and wide from a central position. At the other end, James then saw a cross-cum-shot go wastefully wide with Hackett lurking unmarked beyond the far post.

The game was end to end with both sides looking dangerous. Rees sent another header over the bar, running on to a cross from Hayden towards the penalty spot, before Beadle and Hackett combined to release Alexander into the Sports area, but Rees made an important tackle and emerged with the ball.

The opening goal nearly arrived in the 13^th minute. The clearance from Thame keeper James Callan was poor and Omatayo was able to play in Corbett, but the shot from the edge of the area went narrowly past the far post.

McQueen then ran after a long ball out of defence by Hayden, and after managing to keep the ball in play, cut back inside but his fierce drive was pushed away by Callan diving to his right.

Hayden then went on an eye-catching run and found Omatayo with his pass but the Swiss striker saw his effort from just inside the area saved by the outstretched leg of the Thame keeper for the first corner of the match, to which Omatayo rose the highest, but could only direct his header well over the bar.

Eastmond played a long ball forward which Omatayo headed on, but the scampering McQueen was just unable to prevent the ball going out for a goal-kick.

McQueen then dived as Hackett attempted a tackle near the half-way line without making any contact, and the two players had a flare-up. The game continued with a throw-in to Thame.

Grout then got to a long ball ahead of the Thame keeper advancing outside of his area, but his header was weak and Dan West was able to get back to comfortably prevent the ball rolling into the net.

With 21 minutes on the clock, James saw Carey off his line and attempted an ambitious volley from near to the touchline but the Eastbourne keeper was able to retreat and make a catch over his head.

The visitors then forced consecutive corners, both of which were played low to the near post and were dealt with by the Thame defence.

Hackett went on a mazy run and was brought down close the Eastbourne D. Beadle took the free-kick but his drive was pushed away by Carey diving to his left. James was unable to reach the rebound, but in any case, he was off-side.

Hall did well to prevent McQueen latching on to a long ball, after which Stranks committed a bad foul on Hayden to receive the first yellow card of the game. Corbett’s free-kick from about 40 yards flew straight into the hands of the Thame keeper.

This was followed by a bad challenge by Rees on Jack Tutton but the referee didn’t think it warranted any sanction other than a free-kick to Thame.

In the 34^th minute McQueen went down easily near the Thame corner flag and won a soft free-kick but Corbett’s delivery was punched away by Callan under his own crossbar, and Hayden won another the corner for the visitors. The set-piece was played short to Carter, who cross was headed away for a corner on the opposite side of the pitch. This time Phillips headed high over the bar.

James then played a smart through ball to put Beadle clear but the move was halted by the linesman’s flag for offside. Fatbear was directly in line and didn’t agree with the decision !

Corbett was the next Sports player to go down easily to win a free-kick, and the former Aldershot man got up to take the free-kick himself, which was on target but blocked by the head of Finlay Murray. A minute later Corbett went down even more easily inside the Thame penalty area but failed to con the referee, who allowed play to continue.

Hall went on a 60-yard run for Thame, but his attempted pass to Hackett was poor and Phillips was able to intercept.

With half-time approaching, McQueen was fouled by Beadle just inside the Eastbourne half, but Tom Daley would have been impressed by the exaggerated fall to ensure he got the decision from the referee.

When Eastbourne played the ball forward, Corbett was fouled just outside the Thame area, who again was the in charge of set-piece duties. However, his effort hit the wall and flew high into the air and West headed clear. Sports put the ball back into the mixer where Callan, under pressure, missed with his punch. Omatayo bundled the ball into the vacant goal, but the referee deemed that Callan had been impeded and award a free-kick to Thame. The goal was chalked off.

It was goalless at the break. Eastbourne had started to get on top, but Thame had defended well and had looked decent going forward.

The second period began with a great chance for Thame. Corbett’s free-kick was hit straight at Hackett, and Beadle pounced onto the loose ball and put Alexander clear on goal. However, Thame’s top scorer took a heavy first touch, and Carey forced him wide of the goal and unable to get a shot away. Instead, he turned and attempted to find James, but Sam Oguntayo slid in to make a vital interception.

Hayden won another corner for Eastbourne but Phillips headed over the bar.

The home side though were enjoying a good spell. Tutton dispossessed Phillips and played wide to Hackett, whose shot was blocked. Alexander’s pass saw Tutton running into the Borough area but he became the meat in a sandwich as tacklers converged from both sides, and the referee waved play on.

For Borough, Grout saw two long range efforts blocked in a period of less than 30 seconds, then Hackett became the second Thame player to see yellow following a poor tackle on Eastmond. Corbett decided to go for glory from about 35 yards, only to send the ball a few feet over the crossbar.

In the 63^rd minute, Tutton sent a free-kick bouncing into the Eastbourne penalty area but no Thame attacker was able to get on to the end of it, and the ball went off harmlessly for a goal-kick.

Corbett hit the deck again inside the Thame area following a challenge with Hall and play continued. Even one of the Sports supporters behind the goal told him to get up.

Thame had another rapid counter-attack but the ball from James across the face of the area was just a fraction ahead of the unmarked Alexander. When Thame reworked possession, Tutton’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Carter.

Next, Corbett had another go from 35 yards, this time sending his effort harmlessly wide. Rees then got to a long ball ahead of Murray and laid the ball off to substitute Harrison, whose low left-footed drive from the edge of the area was well held by Callan diving to his left.

West became the third Thame player to enter the referee’s notebook, sliding late into Corbett. This time Corbett’s free-kick was on target, as Callan made a sprawling save diving to his left. Carter was first to the rebound but his shot from a narrow angle was saved by the body of the Thame keeper at the expense of a corner, from which Carter headed over the bar.

The visitors created a great chance to score in the 74^th minute but after a good cross to the back post by Harrison, McQueen could only spoon over the bar.

That was to be McQueen’s last contribution to the game as he was promptly replaced by Egbri, who almost made an instant impact, but after getting to the byline his cross was a fraction too long for Corbett.

A quick throw-in by Thame as Eastbourne were caught napping enabled Alexander to run into the Borough penalty area but the impressive Hayden did well to usher the ball off for a goal-kick.

Thame were still looking dangerous on the occasions they were able to attack and James played a clever back-heel to release Hackett, whose left-footed cross was inches too high for Ulas to head home. Another break led to Daffern sending a 20-yard curler inches wide of the post. In between, a Oguntayo free-kick saw Sheaf head straight at Thame keeper Callan.

Tutton became the latest Thame player to see yellow after a trip on Oguntayo

With 83 minutes played, Egbri did well to get to the byline to deliver a good cross, but West made an ever better clearance. The match between two previously free-scoring sides still remained goalless.

An Ebgri corner was glanced on by Phillips at the near post but there was no Borough player on hand to finish at the far post. Thame substitute Curtis Brown made a break and James played a return pass for him to chase, but Carey was alert and came out of his area to concede a throw-in.

The deadlock was broken shortly after. Substitute Owen Bellamy made a good run into the Thame area, and his ball from close to the byline reached Egbri at the back post who had a simple tap in. 0-1 after 89 minutes.

Egbri should have added a second less than a minute later, but he could only blaze over the bar from around 8 yards after another good run by Bellamy.

There was still time for Thame substitute Charlie Bacon for go down in the Eastbourne area, but the referee rightly ignored the pleas for a penalty.

Borough safely saw out the added time to take a deserved victory to go into Monday’s draw, but the late winner was a heart-breaker for the home side, who had given a good account of themselves against their higher rated opponents.

Thame United : Callan – Hall ( Bacon ), West, Murray, Stranks ( Ulas ) – Hackett ( Brown ), Tutton, Riddick – Alexander, James, Beadle ( Daffern )

Eastbourne Borough : Carey – Hayden, Phillips, Carter, Oguntayo – McQueen ( Egbri ), Rees, Eastmond ( Johnson ), Grout ( Sheaf ), Corbett ( Bellamy ) - Omatayo ( Harrison )

 

Thame United 3-0 Beaconsfield Town ( att : 95 ) – 2026/27 Southern League Division One Central

September 29, 2026

Tonight saw Thame’s first home floodlight game of the season as they returned to the bread and butter of Southern League football with the visit of Beaconsfield Town. Successful runs in both Cups had meant that Thame had played only four times in the league, leaving them in 12^th place in table, whereas Beaconsfield had played eight times and were in 6^th place, but with only 5 more points than Thame.

Thame Update

These diaries last covered Thame in early September when they beat step 5 Reading City 3-2 in the FA Cup. In the next round Thame were held 3-3 at home by fellow step 4 side Exmouth, conceding a 95^th minute equaliser, but made the long mid-week trek to Devon and returned home after 2 am in the following morning with a 3-1 victory. Step 3 Eastbourne Borough await next Saturday in the Third Qualifying Round at the ASM.

Thame had also clocked up the mileage in the FA Trophy, with a trip to Dorset to play step 4 Portland, albeit on a Saturday, and earned a 2-0 victory. Last Saturday, step 3 Chichester visited the ASM and eliminated Thame from the competition with a hard-fought 2-1 win, bringing to an end an unbeaten run of 9 games for Thame.

Thame had also played one league match, when they comfortably beat MK Irish 4-0 away from home.

Thame had scored 16 goals in their last 6 games, and 30 times in all 11 of their matches played this season. With 16 goals conceded in total, there had been an average of over 4 goals in Thame’s games !

Harry Alexander was the leading scorer with 8 goals, followed by Greg Hackett with 5 and Ed Daffern and Roger James with 4 each.

 Beaconsfield Background

Beaconsfield is a town in Buckinghamshire with a population of around 12,000. Its football team was formed in 1994 as Beaconsfield SYCOB, with SYCOB coming from Slough Youth Club Old Boys who merged with Beaconsfield United. The name was changed in 2017 to Beaconsfield Town.

Starting in the Spartan League, SYCOB joined the Spartan South Midlands League in 1997 and won promotion to the Southern League Division One East after winning the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division in 2003/04. Relegation followed at the end of 2006/07, but SYCOB only spent one season back at step 5 before winning promotion again.

Newly renamed Beaconsfield Town won the Southern League South-East title in 2017/18 to move up to step 3 for the first time in their history, but were relegated at the end of 2023/24, finishing 4^th from bottom on goal difference. Last season they finished in 11^th place on their return to step 4.

Home is Holloways Park, the club’s nickname is The Rams and their first-choice colours are all red.

Fatbear’s one trip to Holloways Park ( or Holloway’s Park as it was known then before the apostrophe was dropped ! ) was in November 2013 to watch a Southern League Division One Central match against Northwood Town, which Beaconsfield lost 0-2 and missed a penalty. They were still known as SYCOB at the time.

Previous Meetings

The honours were even between the two sides last year, but in a slightly unusual fashion. Beaconsfield won 4-1 at the ASM in November, but Thame won the return 4-0.

The season before, these diaries covered Thame’s 3-2 home victory, when they faced a 0-2 deficit with around 25 minutes remaining to play, but three goals in a 12-minute spell enable Thame to end up as 3-2 winners. Thame had earlier in the season won 1-0 at Beaconsfield.

Beaconsfield Town This Season

Beaconsfield had a terrible start to the season. An opening fixture in the FA Cup at home to step 5 Penn and Tylers Green, who had been in step 6 last season, looked to be straight forward enough, but The Rams were stunned by a 0-3 defeat.

It got worse as the first league game saw a 0-5 hammering at home at the hands of Waltham Forest, and although Beaconsfield finally scored some goals in their next game, they went down 2-3 at local rivals Marlow.

The FA Trophy saw a 1-1 home draw with step 4 Sheppey United, but the Rams exited the competition after a penalty shoot-out.

Another 0-5 stuffing followed, this time at Didcot Town, before Beaconsfield finally got the show on the road with four consecutive victories, beating MK Irish ( H 2-1 ), Hadley ( A 1-0 ), Flackwell Heath ( H 2-0 ) and London Lions ( A 4-1 ). However, the run came crashing to an end last Saturday with a 0-3 loss at Biggleswade Town

Beaconsfield therefore came into tonight’s game with a 4-0-4 record but had a minus 7 goal difference.

Beaconsfield Town Squad

None of the squad who played for The Rams at Thame in March 2025 were still with the club, and very few of last season’s players were still at Beaconsfield, leading to many new signings in the summer, or promotions from the youth team.

Their top scorer so far this season was ex-Chalfont St Peter forward Courie Coley with 4 goals, including a hat-trick against London Lions. Ex-Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Aylesbury United winger Blaaze Lawrence had found the net twice.

One familiar name to Thame supporters would be winger/forward Alfie Anderson who had a short stay at Thame during the ill-fated 2023/24 campaign before moving on to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Aylesbury United, whilst midfielder Mekhai Bessasa-Grant was a former Oxford City youth player, playing at Thame for The Hoops in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup in March 2025, and had played for Gloucester City, Marlow, Evesham and Didcot on loan, before joining Beaconsfield in the summer.

Defender Mohammad Gamal had apparently been playing in Egypt, midfielder Corey Hart was previously with Flackwell Heath, and midfielder Freddie Ford was with Northwood Town last season.

Rueben Whitaker joined from Rayners Lane, right-back Alex Peapell was in his second spell after a season with Larkhall Athletic, and defender Mack Miskin had played for Northwood and Harrow Borough.

Captain Charlie Smith started his career at MK Dons, and had since played for Kidlington, Berkhamsted and Risborough Rangers, and was in his third season in his second spell with The Rams.

Matchday Information

According to AA route planner, the journey from Beaconsfield to Thame’s ASM Stadium is 27 miles and should normally take half an hour.

After being dry all day, some light rain started to fall just before the 19.45 kick-off, but it only lasted for a few minutes. The temperature was 21 degrees.

Attendance was £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for Under 16s. The programme was online but free team-sheets were available at the turnstile. A pint of Poretti cost £5.40.

Thame made three changes from the side that lost to Chichester City in the FA Trophy. Dan West came in for the injured Luke Tingey, and Roger James replaced Hayden Beadle. Ethan Lack had returned to Thame, having left to join Potters Bar Town in the summer, and was in either his third or fourth spell at the club. Lack replaced Charlie Bacon in the line-up, and Beadle and Bacon were both on the bench.

Beaconsfield also made three changes from the weekend, with Smith, Aaron White and Taran Sohi coming into the side, as Mirko Jovanovic dropped to the bench, and Garnal and Whitaker were missing altogether.

Beaconsfield were playing in a change kit of all sky blue, whilst Thame were in their usual red and black stripes.

Match Report

Beaconsfield kicked off towards the ring-road end and promptly lost possession, but the Thame attack fizzled out to nothing.

The early phases were pretty even and in the 8^th minute, Lawrence received a pass just outside the Thame area but his shot was blocked and keeper James Callan gathered to stop the corner.

Thame’s first promising move came in the 10^th minute as Lack ran at the Beaconsfield defence, played a give and go with Alexander, but the shot from 12 yards was miscued and flew high and wide.

The rain briefly returned as Lawrence was denied by a good challenge inside the Thame area, and play continued. Ford then sent a long-range effort well wide as Beaconsfield were starting to get a slightly upper-hand.

After the opening quarter of an hour, Thame started to get into the game. Alexander laid off to Lack, but the first time shot from 20 yards went high and wide. Miskin then made a poor header trying to deal with Jack Tutton’s long ball intended for Alexander. With keeper Ezekiel Ifekoya unable to pick the ball up outside his area, he took a wild kick sending the ball high into the air. James took possession and ran across the 18-yard line. The advancing Daffern took the ball off James and ran into the Beaconsfield area past two defenders, and side-footed into the bottom corner past Ifekoya. 1-0 after 16 minutes.

Shortly after, Thame keeper Callan played a poor pass straight to Lawrence, who then skipped past West to the byline, but his low cross was cut-out by Callum Hall.

After this minor alarm, Thame took control of the rest of the half. Miskin did a lot better dealing with the next forward ball from Tutton to head back to his keeper ahead of Alexander. Joshua Stranks then sent a dangerous cross from the left-wing, but James’ header struck White and rolled through to the keeper.

Tutton then found Daffern on the left, who cut inside to shoot from the angle of the penalty area. Ifekoya fumbled the shot, but Smith cleared. Thame reworked possession and James went down in the area after a clumsy challenge, but the referee waved played on. It was in the category of “I’ve seen them given……”

James then shot from 25 yards but the sprawling Ifekoya made the save, after which Tutton ran past three defenders, but his shot from just inside the area lacked power and went harmlessly wide.

A Thame corner was played to Alexander on the edge of The Rams area, who took a touch then shot narrowly wide.

Beaconsfield were hanging on, and a long throw from Hall was flicked on inside the 6-yard box but the ball wouldn’t fall for Daffern.

The game’s first peace of dubious officiating then arrived as Lawrence ran at Tutton who stood his ground, and a free-kick to Beaconsfield was awarded as their winger crashed into the static Thame player and on to the floor. Defending players do not have to get out of the way of an attacker running at them……….

Smith then produced a super sliding interception to prevent Daffern’s through ball putting James clear. West and Alexander then combined to release Hall into space on the right-wing, but the full-back opted to shoot from out wide rather than cross, and the ball bounced through to Ifekoya, who saved easily.

The first yellow card was shown in the 37^th minute as Coley committed a bad foul on Mark Riddick just inside the Beaconsfield half. However, Coley injured himself in the tackle and had to be replaced by Uthman Hassan.

Thame soon doubled their lead. James ran onto a ball down the left-hand channel by Stranks, and looking up, played a square ball across the Beaconsfield area for Alexander to run onto and smash into the roof of the net. 2-0 with 40 minutes played.

A minute later, Smith’s back-pass was weak but Ifekoya showed good skill with his feet to evade Daffern and clear. The relief didn’t last for long though as Lack was found on the right-wing but his attempted cross for the unmarked Daffern at the far post was sliced, and sailed into the hands of Ifekoya.

Against the run of play, Beaconsfield had a half-chance, but Hassan was unable to get onto a ball inside the Thame 6-yard box, and Callan gathered.

With half-time approaching, James decided to shoot from 25 yards when there were better options, but the shot was poor and bounced well wide. Stranks then embarked on a rampaging run down the left-wing and his excellent cross towards the far post needed to be put off for a corner by Miskin to prevent Alexander having a tap-in.

At half-time Thame led 2-0 but it felt like they missed some opportunities to be further ahead, and they would hope they wouldn’t regret not having already put the game to bed.

Although Daffern made a strong run at the start of the second half, his cross-cum-shot was poor and flew high and wide.

Following this, The Rams had a brief good spell. Miskin’s good run down the left ended with a dangerous cross into the 6-yard box, but Callan was able to dive onto it. Several second later Hassan slid in and collided with the prone Thame keeper. The Rams’ substitute was shown an obvious yellow card, although a Beaconsfield supporter exclaimed that the referee didn’t know what he was doing. This was not to be last time this feeling was to be expressed !

Lawrence won possession for Beaconsfield and passed to Gulio Marroni to run to the byline, but Ford was unable to get onto the end of the ball across the face of the goal-mouth.

However, Thame soon regained control of the game, and Riddick’s overhead kick was well saved by Ifekoya.

James ran across the face of the Beaconsfield 18-yard line but his shot on goal was well blocked by Miskin at the expense of a corner. The set-piece was partially cleared, but Tutton’s long range effort was blocked and Ifekoya gathered the loose ball.

The game’s controversial incidents occurred two minutes later. Hassan committed a poor foul, well worthy of a second yellow card. As a bout of handbags ensued, Hassan pushed Tutton to the floor, an act which some referees would have deemed to be a red card offence in itself. Incredibly, referee James Thompson deemed neither to deserve any sanction, and Hassan somehow stayed on the pitch. As one Thame player was heard to say, “Ref, this is a league game, not a friendly”.

Daffern did well on the left wing to beat his man and cross in to the danger zone, but Finlay Murray’s powerful header was at the keeper, who made an excellent save. Daffern then made another excellent run, then slipped a pass to Alexander, but Thame’s leading scorer put the ball narrowly over the bar as Ifekoya came off his line to narrow the angle.

Beaconsfield then replaced their substitute and Hassan left the pitch to ensure he would commit any more offences, at which there were several comments from the Thame bench along the lines of “they know what he did” etc.

The impressive Ifekoya then did well to go outside of his area to make a sliding tackle to deny Daffern. Lack then made a strong run and fed James, but Marroni made an important tackle at the expense of a corner.

A slick Thame passing movement led to Lack’s shot hitting the post and rebounding to safety, after which a cross from Hall was tipped over the bar by Ifekoya.

James then showed exceptional control to bring down a long ball then run into the Beaconsfield area, but his effort was well saved low down at his near post by Ifekoya.

Miskin then became the next player to enter the referee’s notebook following a cynical trip, but shortly after, Ford did well to get to the byline, but no Beaconsfield player was up in support to get on the end of his cross.

Thame continued to dominate and another flowing passing move ended with Alexander shooting a few feet over the bar. At the other end Lawrence teed up Ford, but the 20-yard effort sailed about 10 feet over the bar.

Another smart move from the home side saw Daffern send substitute Aydin Ulas to the byline, but the cross to the near post saw Alexander’s effort well blocked.

The visitors’ best chance came in the 72^nd minute. Anderson made a good break on the left and his cross reached Ford just beyond the far post, but his shot from a narrow angle produced a good save by Callan for a corner.

A minute later Anderson crashed to the ground close to the corner flag, but the referee was unimpressed and play continued. It looked like a clear foul to Fatbear and it could be added to the catalogue of errors by the man in black.

Ifekoya then had a lucky escape when his attempted clearance was charged down by Lack, but the goalie’s blushes were spared as the ball fell kindly to him to gather.

Thame were still looking for a third goal, and Tutton ran down the left-hand channel to the byline, but after opting to go for goal, Ifekoya got a hand to his effort to push the ball away for a corner. Ifekoya flapped at the set-piece but no attacker was on hand to capitalise. Murray then blasted over the bar from 10 yards after a cushioned header by Riddick.

A rare foray by The Rams into the Thame half saw Miskin head a corner narrowly wide at the far post. Thame’s response was for Ulas to play a glorious ball down the left-hand channel for substitute Bacon to run on to and into the Beaconsfield area. Bacon’s side-footed finish hit the far post, then the near post, before nesting into the back of the net. It was now 3-0 with 84 minutes on the clock.

As the game approached full-time, Ulas showed several examples of outstanding talent as the home side pressed for a fourth goal. First, a good run and pull-back set-up a chance for Curtis Brown, but Ifekoya made a top save. Ulas then set-up Alexander for a 20-yard strike that Ifekoya again did well to hold on to. Finally, the Oxford City loanee jinked past two would be tacklers to tee up Brown, whose 20-yard attempt bounced awkwardly in front of the Beaconsfield shot-stopper and hit him on the shoulder. Thame reworked possession for Alexander’s drive to narrowly go over the bar from the edge of the area.

With the game in added on time a long ball saw Lawrence run clear of the Thame back-line and Hall committed the professional foul to bring him down. This time the referee found the red card in his pocket, and Hall had to walk towards the dressing rooms. The free-kick was touched to Lawrence, whose shot struck the outside of the post and went off for a goal-kick.

Anderson again looked lively, running past three Thame defenders, but could only shoot into the side netting.

The dismal performance from the referee was then perhaps summed up just before the final whistle when Riddick dived in studs up on Ford but fortunately failed to make any contact on the Rams midfielder. The Thame captain was lucky not to have faced any sanction for the reckless challenge.

When the match finally ended, Thame deservedly took the three points from a game they had dominated but probably should have won by a far greater margin. Beaconsfield had to thank an outstanding performance from their keeper to keep the score down.

After tonight’s results, Thame had climbed to 9^th in the table whilst Beaconsfield had slipped to 7^th.

Goal Highlights : https://x.com/thameunitedfc/status/2105388089602699391 

Thame United : Callan – Hall, West ( Ulas ), Murray, Stranks – Tutton ( Moakes ), Riddick, Lack – Alexander, James ( Brown ), Daffern ( Bacon )

Beaconsfield Town : Ifekoya – Peapell, Smith, White, Miskin – Sohi ( Anderson ), Ford, Marroni ( Bessasa-Grant ), Hart – Coley ( Hassan, Onu ), Lawrence

 

 

 

 

Oxford City 1-1 Morecambe ( att : 1,206 ) - 2026/27 National League North

September 26, 2026

Today saw Fatbear’s first visit to Court Place Farm since the opening day 1-0 victory over Bedford Town, with former Football League club Morecambe making their first ever appearance at Oxford City.

Oxford City Update

The Hoops had been in impressive form and came into today’s game in second place in National League North with a 6-1-2 record. Their results away from home had been particularly impressive, with wins at Spalding United ( 1-0 ), Spennymoor ( 4-1 ), Worksop Town ( 1-0 ) and Radcliffe ( 3-0 ). The only set-back away from Marsh Lane was a 0-1 reverse at AFC Telford, when top scorer Tyrone Marsh was suspended.

At home, a frustrating 1-1 draw had been played out against Harborough Town, Buxton had performed a 2-3 ambush to leave win the three points, but Chorley had been despatched 4-0.

Oxford City had progressed in the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at step 4 Dorchester Town, which had been rewarded with a home tie in the next round against step 3 Enfield Town of the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Oxford City’s average home attendance so far this season was 926.

Morecambe

Morecambe is a seaside town in Lancashire on the Irish sea with a population of around 35,000. It is perhaps most famous for comedian Eric Morecambe, who took his stage name from his home town.

Morecambe is also known for its off-shore fishing, and as a result its football team is known as The Shrimpers.

Morecambe FC were founded in 1920 and progressed through the local leagues until achieving promotion to the National League at the end of the 1994-95, although the FA Trophy had been won in 1973/74 with a 2-1 victory at Wembley over Dartford.

In 2005/06 Morecambe lost in the promotion play-offs to Hereford United, but made amends in the following season, beating York City in the play-off semi-final, then overcoming Exeter City 2-1 at Wembley to achieve promotion to the Football League.

Morecambe’s first season in the Football League saw them finish in 11^th place, and their league status was narrowly retained over the subsequent seasons until 2020/21, when a fourth placed finish saw them overcome Tranmere Rovers in the promotion play-off semi-final, then Newport County were beaten 1-0 in extra time in the Wembley final to see the Shrimpers promoted to the third tier.

The Shrimpers achieved a 19^th place finish in their first season in League One, but financial problems contributed to the club being relegated at the end of the end of the 2022/23.

Despite the ongoing financial issues, Morecambe finished in 15^th in their first season back in League 2. However, this only delayed the inevitable, and the club finished bottom at the end of the 2023/24 season, 13 points from safety.

Their return to the National League was problematic, with their first three matches being postponed as uncertainty over their viability to complete the season persisted. However, the sale of the club to the Punjab Warriors was eventually completed, and the Shrimpers were permitted to start playing. Despite, or perhaps because of, signing a whole new squad from scratch, Morecombe could only finish in 22^nd place, 8 points from safety and were condemned to playing in step 2 for the first time since 1995.

The consequence of relegation saw 18 players released, including Ludwig Francillette, who joined Oxford City, and again a new squad needed to be assembled for this season.

When Morecambe achieved promotion to the Football League in 2007 they were playing at Christie Park, but a new stadium was already in the pipe-line, and Morecambe move in to the Globe Arena in 2010. The stadium has also been known as The Bay Stadium, before the current sponsorship had named it the Halo Aerospace Stadium. The official capacity is 6,473, with 2,173 seats.

Morecambe’s home colours are red and black stripped shirts, with white shorts and red socks.

Last season’s average attendance was 2,916 but was only 2,277 at the early stage of this season.

Watching Morecambe

Fatbear had seen Morecambe on two occasions. In August 2008, Fatbear paid £19 to see the opening game of Morecambe’s second season in the Football League at Wycombe Wanderers, and in front of a crowd of 4,021, defender David Artell’s second half equaliser gave The Shrimpers a 1-1 draw.

In February 2018, Fatbear took Mrs Fatbear to the match-day hospitality at Wycombe, where £45 each was ridiculously good value for a prime seat, a three-course meal, parking outside the main stand, a programme, team-sheet, pre-and post-match presentations, half-time tea/coffees and biscuits, and access to a pay bar.

On the pitch, 39-year-old Morecambe midfielder Kevin Ellison was in a different class, despite being the wind-up merchant that you love when he is in your side and hate when in the opposition. Wycombe were in 2^nd place with Morecambe in 22^nd place in League 2, but Ellison’s two goals and an outstanding overall performance led The Shrimpers to an unexpected 4 goal lead, before two late consolation goals made the scoreline a little more respectable for Wycombe at 2-4. Wycombe went on to win automatic promotion, whilst Morecambe stayed up on goal difference !

 

Morecambe This Season

Morecambe came into today’s game with a 4-1-4 record to sit in 10^th place in National League North. Their form had been noticeable better at home, starting with a 1-1 draw with Spennymoor, then a 0-1 home defeat to highly fancied South Shields, before beating AFC Telford 2-1 and Buxton 4-0. Last Saturday, Southport were beaten 2-0 in the FA Cup, where they will host Darlington in the next round.

The Shrimpers’ away form had not been so smart, with losses at Harborough Town ( 0-1 ), Radcliffe ( 1-2 ) and Southport ( 1-2 ), although Chester City had been beaten 1-0.

 Morecambe Squad

Ex-Huddersfield, Harrogate and Hartlepool midfielder Matty Daly was the joint top scorer this season with 3 goals, alongside ex-Barrow, Stockport County, Telford and Chorley midfielder Eliott Newby.

Keeper Myles Boney started at Blackpool but then played over 160 times for South Shields, Welsh Under 21 international defender Cameron Coxe had started his career at Cardiff before moving on to Colchester and Boreham Wood ( and was part of the Wood side that were hammered 4-0 in the National League at Oxford City in 2023 ), whereas Welsh left-back Ben Williams was ex-Barnsley, Cheltenham and Carlisle United.

Veteran centre-back Liam Hogan had played for Halifax, Tranmere, Gateshead, Salford, Stockport County, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale, whilst fellow centre-back Lewis Baines was ex-Altrincham and Chorley.

Central-midfielder Paul Lewis had previously played for Macclesfield, Cambridge United, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town, whilst midfielder Jake Cain was ex-Newport County and Swindon. Centre-forward Ronnie Blois was previously with Leiston Town and midfielder Ruben Curley was on loan from Stoke City.

Veteran striker Joe Garner had done the rounds at Carlisle, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Glasgow Rangers, Ipswich and Fleetwood amongst others, and was a substitute for Oldham Athletic at Crawley Town last season in a game covered by these diaries.

Midfielder Isaac Buckley-Ricketts had started at Manchester City and had been loaned to FC Twente and Oxford United before playing for Warrington Town, Curzon Ashton and Macclesfield.

Morecambe’s manager was Adam Lakeland, who left Halifax in the summer to join the Shrimpers on a 3-year contract.

Matchday Information

According to AA Route Planner, the journey from Morecambe to Oxford is 210 miles via the M6, M42 and M40, and should normally take around just under 4 hours. A sold-out coach was leaving Morecambe at 08.45 am !

For some reason the match was segregated and it looked like around 200 Shrimps fans had made the journey.

Tickets for today’s match were £13 online or £16 at the gate for adults. There were a whole range of reductions depending on ages, from seniors to children.

Oxford City had restarted producing printed programmes for this season, at a cost of £3.50, and free team sheets were also given out. A cup of tea cost £2.50 but many fans from both sides were happily drinking their pints whilst watching the game, so perhaps Andy Burnham should start going to National League North matches rather than to Everton !

 

The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was sunny and 19 degrees.

Bet365 made Oxford City 21/20 favourites, with Morecambe at 19/10 and the draw at 5/2.

The Oxford City starting XI showed three changes from the side that started in the FA Cup at Dorchester, with the return of Dejan Tetek, Scott Pollock and Ellis Brown, with Zac McEachran and Tyrae Njogu dropping to the bench and Dillon Da Silva away on international duty with Sri Lanka. In comparison, Morecambe made just one change to their victorious side in the FA Cup, with Garner replacing Blois, who was missing altogether from their match day squad.

Morecambe were playing in their usual red and black stripes, although the back of the shirts were all red. Oxford City were in their usual blue and white hoops with blue shorts and socks

Match Report

The match started at a frantic pace, with play going from end to end. From a Morecambe free-kick, Garner flicked on for Daly but Hoops left-back Evan Humphries did well to shepherd the ball off for a goal-kick.

Francillette played a long ball out of the Oxford City defence to Briar Bateman who played in Pollock, but a good tackle saw the ball go out of play and a goal-kick was given.

In the third minute a left-wing cross from Brown was kept in play by Bateman’s header. Josh Ashby was first to the loose ball but was forced out wide then crowded out by the Morecambe defence.

Ashby and Pollock were then involved in a nice passing movement to release Brown down the left wing but the low ball into the Morecambe area was cut-out by Hogan.

Humphries then again did well defensively under pressure from Lewis to earn a goal-kick for Oxford City.

The referee had given a series of soft free-kicks to the visitors but then missed a more obvious foul on Newby !

The home side nearly shot themselves in the foot when keeper Jonny Maxted passed straight to Daly, but the ball intended for Teddy Collis at the far post was over hit.

The first yellow card of the match arrived in the 16^th minute when Collis tripped Ashby as the Oxford City midfielder ran past him.

Morecambe full-back Coxe appeared to be hurt whilst trying to tackle Brown but made a remarkable recovery after seemingly being shot by a snipper in the stands.

It was then the Morecambe keeper’s turn to make a careless clearance out of defence, passing to Pollock, who laid the ball off to Tetek, whose shot from the edge of the area, took a deflection and looped high in the air for Boney to catch and spare his own blushes.

With 26 minutes played, an in-swinging free-kick from Morecambe full-back Williams was headed a couple of feet wide by Garner. It wasn’t clear if the referee had awarded a free-kick for offside, he made a strange signal, but Oxford City restarted play inside their 6-yard box.

The soft free-kicks to the visitors were continuing and disrupting the flow of the game, although Garner’s constant holding of Francillette’s shirt seemed to be acceptable to the officials.

A Garner long-range effort came off the head of Francillette and rebounded toward Newby, but good defending by Deago Nelson won a throw-in for the home side.

Ashby then did well to beat Williams close to the right-hand touchline but then strangely decided to shoot from out wide rather than cross to colleagues in the Morecambe penalty area, and the ball bounced innocuously through to keeper Boney.

Williams did much better a minute later, beating Nelson to intercept a long cross-field ball and headed off in the direction of the Oxford City half and played Daly into the left-hand channel, but after running into the Oxford City area, Daly’s left-footed effort was blazed narrowly over the bar. It was the best chance of the match so far.

Oxford City’s response was for Pollock to skip past three would be tacklers until being brought down by the fourth. With the ball falling to Tyrone Marsh, the referee played an advantage, but the 25-yard effort from The Hoops top scorer was straight at Boney, who made a regulation catch.

Oxford City won a free-kick mid-way inside the Morecambe half, with was taken quickly by Ashby over the defensive back-line, but Marsh tumbled over inside the penalty area. The referee allowed play to continue, and a penalty would have been very soft had it been given.

The yellow cards were levelled up when Tetek lost possession and then fouled Coxe in his effort to recover the situation. The free-kick was punched away by Maxted.

With half-time approaching, Francillette hoofed a long ball deep into the Morecambe half but the attempted header by Coxe back to his keeper was weak, and Brown nipped in ahead of the keeper to the ball. However, his attempt to flick the ball over Boney was just as poor as the header so it was an easy save for the Shrimpers keeper.

The game’s first comedy moment came in the 43^rd minute. Morecambe had a free-kick inside their half and Marsh stood over the ball. The referee twice very loudly told Marsh to move away from the ball, but Marsh failed to comply, leaving the referee little alternative other than to brandish the yellow card, which from an Oxford City perspective was totally unnecessary.

On the stroke of half-time, Morecambe won the first corner of the match, which was headed away by Francillette. The clearance went as far as Williams, whose left-footed volley from 25 yards sailed high and wide.

It remained goal-less at the interval after a half of plenty of endeavour, a lot of pretty football, but precious few chances.

The home side started the second period strongly as Pollock and Brown combined to release Bateman, who shot over from around 10 yards but it must have taken a deflection as a corner was given.

After a short corner routine, Ashby played the ball towards the far post. Francillette stretched but could only divert the ball just wide of the post.

Brown then played a pass for Marsh to run towards the byline, but Baines stopped the move with a good tackle.

Morecambe nearly took the lead out of the blue. Oxford City centre-back Darnell Johnson hooked away a ball into the Hoops area only for Garner to volley first-time from out wide on the right. Maxted was nearly taken by surprise, but reacted to make a one-handed diving save to push the ball away.

Pollock was catching the eye with his strong running, and this time he released Brown on the left, but the pass intended for Ashby was over-hit.

At the other end Newby won a corner for the visitors which was again headed away by Francillette.

A minute later Oxford City lost possession just inside the Morecambe own half, Williams played a nice pass for Newby to run down the left wing and play a ball across the goalmouth. Garner was unmarked at the back post and slammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range. 0-1 after 54 minutes.

The home side appeared to be shocked by falling behind as twice sloppy play allowed the ball to go out of play for throw-ins to Morecambe. However, Nelson then went on an impressive run from deep inside his own half to the edge of the Morecambe area, then slipped a pass to Bateman on the right-wing, but the Birmingham City youngster’s cross went behind the on-rushing attackers.

Morecambe were working hard to defend their lead and their high press was making it difficult for Oxford City to play their passing football.

With 63 minutes on the clock, Bateman did well on the right wing to send a cross towards the far post. Marsh again hit the deck, and again the referee didn’t think it was worthy of a penalty, which looked to be the right decision.

Two minutes later there was some uncertain defending in the Oxford City area but the shot from Collis was blocked, and the Hoops were eventually able to clear.

At the other end Collis then cynically elbowed Brown in the back as the Oxford City winger was heading towards the byline. A free-kick was awarded but the referee’s card stayed in his pocket.

From Fatbear’s vantage point a long way away, it first looked as if Ashby’s free-kick from close to the corner flag had gone in at the far post, but play carried on, and Pollock's close range prod was cleared off the line.

Pollock went off on another long run but was unable to control the return pass from Marsh.

Francillette then played a poor pass out of defence to Morecambe substitute Buckley-Ricketts, who fed Newby to run into the Oxford City area, but after some more uncertain defending, Maxted was able to pick up the loose ball.

The next comedy moment came when Garner made a pathetic attempt to win a free-kick after the slightest contest when challenging Francillette, and then pretended to be injured as play continued. After the ball went out of play Garner made the greatest recovery since Lazarus to get up and start berating the referee. It was totally embarrassing, and it turned out to be his last contribution as he was immediately substituted. It was probably a wise decision by Morecambe………..

With 15 minutes remaining, Williams did well on the left wing but Newby headed the cross well wide. Oxford City took play down the other end and after good chest control, Ashby volleyed narrowly wide from 20 yards.

In the 80^th minute, after an Oxford City corner was headed across goal by Francillette, the ball fell to Marsh at the far post, but somehow his close-range effort was blocked on the line as again heroic defending had denied the home side.

The Hoops were leaving gaps at the back as they surged forward in search of the equaliser, and a chip forward by Cain was met by the unmarked Lewis, but his header crashed back off the underside of the bar and Maxted gathered.

Zac McEachran went on a typically mazy run and then played Alfie Potter in space inside the Morecambe area, but Lewis Leigh made a tremendous tackle to concede a corner.

After the corner was cleared, the referee stopped play to show a yellow card, but it wasn’t clear who the recipient was. It looked like it was to a Morecambe player, but play restarted with a free-kick to Morecambe !

The Shrimpers could have put the game to bed in the 89^th minute after Buckley-Ricketts put Curley free on the left, and his low cross to the near post was met by Daly, but Maxted somehow made the block with his legs.

Six added minutes were to be played and McEachran skipped inside a tackle, but his 20-yard effort was held by Boney. Oxford City forced a free-kick just outside the Morecambe area but after it was headed clear, Potter produced a fantastic volley from 20 yards, with the ball arrowing into the bottom corner with Boney a helpless spectator. 1-1 after 95 minutes.

There was still time for one last Morecambe attack, but Adam Fairclough’s header was easily saved by Maxted.

At the final whistle the points were shared, which on balance was probably a fair result. Oxford City twice saw efforts cleared off the line, whilst Morecambe twice came close to extending their lead. Oxford City dopped to third in the table, whilst Morecambe remaining in 11^th. However, it would not surprise Fatbear to see Morecambe challenging for a play-off place come the end of the season.

Highlights :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAFKMyjRpxw

Oxford City : Maxted – Nelson, Francillette, Johnson, Humphries – Ashby, Tetek ( McEachran ), Pollock, Brown ( Potter ) – Bateman ( Smith ), Marsh

Morecambe : Boney – Coxe, Hogan, Baines, Williams – Collis ( Buckley-Ricketts ), Lewis, Daly ( Fairclough ), Cain ( Curley ), Newby – Garner ( Leigh )