July 9, 2022
The new football season is already upon us as most sides commence their pre-seasons, and whilst I am not usually a fan of pre-season friendlies, the fine weather tempted me to venture outdoors to take in the entertainment at one of my local clubs.
Thame have been very active on Twitter during the close season announcing departures, new signings, and confirming players who have re-signed for the new season. They have lost three key players from last season, namely forwards Ryan Blake and Lynton Goss, as well as keeper Craig Hill, who have all joined ambitious fellow Southern League Division One Central side Berkhamsted Town. Having finished second in 2021/22 but lost in the promotion play-offs to North Leigh, Berkhamsted appear to be strengthening for another promotion push.
New players signed by Thame include 18 year old forward Adam Smith, who apparently had several clubs chasing his signature after being released by Oxford United, ex-Wealdstone defender Luke Massingham, and the return of former youth player Dan Collins after previously playing for Loughborough Dynamos. Importantly, ex-Biggleswade Town, Supermarine and Bedford keeper Josh Hill has been recruited to replace the departing Craig Hill ( no relation as far as I am aware ! ) and on the eve of the opening friendly, Thame announced the signing of ex-Oxford United 19 year old midfielder Jack Gardner, who had been playing in the 4th tier of Swedish football for Gottne IF.
Encouraging for Thame, who finished 8th in Southern League Division One Central last season, most of last season’s squad have re-signed for another season, including forward/attacking midfielders Dan West and David Pearce, midfielders Greg Hackett and Jack Tutton, and defenders Matt Peake-Pijnen, Lewis Thorne, Harry Mepham &, David Lynn. Promising youngsters Finlay Murray and Harry Alexander have also pledged their futures to the club.
Outstanding young defender George Gilmore has also signed on for the new season although this has been tempered by the news of his knee surgery, which apparently is likely to keep him out of action until the New Year.
Ardley United were regular rivals of Thame United in the Hellenic League, but were moved last season to the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division, where they finished in 7th place. News of any transfer activity has been conspicuous by its absence on their Twitter account, but their squad last season contained a number of familiar names on the Oxfordshire non-league circuit, including Declan Benjamin, who was outstanding on the right side of midfield during Oxford City’s Conference North seasons, ex Oxford City and Wycombe defender Lewis Gabbidon, ex-Abingdon United defender Thomas Franklin, ex-Oxford City, Banbury and Thame winger Jordan Ngathe, much admired veteran goal scorer Anaclet Odihambo, as well as former Didcot midfielders Morgan Williams and Elliot Osbourne-Ricketts.
I have attended four previous meeting between these two sides, the first in August 2011 when two goals from Alex Stewart gave Thame a 2-0 victory at Ardley’s The Playing Fields ground, but Ardley gained revenge with a 3-1 win in Thame in the return fixture. I then saw Ardley win 3-1 at home over the Christmas period the following season, a game in which current Thame player Dan West started for Thame, and the final game of the four was a 1-1 draw at Thame the following Boxing Day as Ardley went on the finish second in the final 2013/14 table. In those days Ardley were managed by ex-Oxford United, Newcastle and QPR and England Under 21 midfielder Kevin Brock.
The draw of the early rounds of the FA Cup have given Ardley a home match on August 6th in the extra preliminary round against former Hellenic League rivals Wokingham and Emmbrook, who are now ( checks their website ) playing in the Combined Counties Premier Division North.
Thame have been drawn against Isthmian League South Central side Marlow in the Preliminary Round on August 20th, with whom they are due to play a pre-season friendly, with their league matches scheduled to start on August 13th.
Today’s match was not being played in the ASM Stadium but on the adjacent 4G pitch. I am not sure if I can count this as a new ground !
Entrance was free but the spectator facilities were pretty limited, with just standing space alongside three-quarter one side of the pitch, with the rest fenced off. There was no cover from the 25 degree sun, no tannoy announcements, no teamsheets and the bar in the main clubhouse was closed. A group of lads were prepared for this with a 6 pack of Estrella ! At least the toilets in the clubhouse were open……….
Thame started brightly and in the opening 5 minutes Dan West headed over a corner and David Pearce shot weakly with his right foot after good work down the right by debutant Dan Collins. However, Ardley quickly got into the pace of the game with Benjamin prompting matters from the centre of midfield and generated the better chances of the first half, whilst Thame had more of the possession.
The sides went into the interval with the game goal-less, but Ardley’s lively Jordan Ngathe had hit the post in the 22 minute after Courtney had robbed Gardner near the half-way line and threaded the ball to put the striker clear on goal with just the keeper to beat.
Ngathe had earlier also been put clear on goal only to be denied by an excellent tackle from the newly signed Thame centre-back, who upon inquiries turned out to be Clinton Nasakhare who had just signed from Oxford United after being released and had a loan spell last season with Biggleswade Town. Ngathe had also come close after a corner had been flicked onto to him at the back post, but with his back to goal could only turn and volley over.
Hill in the Thame goal had certainly been the busier of the two keepers, although Thame came close to opening the scoring in the closing stages of the first half. Winger Adam Smith, who had earlier forced Ardley keeper Pratt into a diving save at the expense of a corner, saw a shot blocked by a diving defender with appeals for handball ignored by the referee, and then cut-back from the left to shoot narrowly wide across the face of the goal. A nice move involving Smith and Gardner ended with Collins shooting just wide.
Ardley made 5 changes at the break which resulted in two number 15s being on the pitch. Later they also had two number 16s on the pitch, but being a friendly with the referee never looking like to show any yellow cards, a case of mistaken identity was never likely.
The nature of the game turning into a practice match was underlined later in the second half when Thame re-introduced two players who had already been substituted.
There was a lot less goal-mouth activity in the second half and perhaps it was appropriate that the winning goal in the 68th minute was an own-goal. Dan West made a strong run down the right and getting ahead of the left-back sent a low cross into the Ardley penalty area. Keeper Pratt’s attempt to intercept was poor, and the ball hit the legs of defender Gabbidon and rolled into the empty net. This was the cue for a second water break of the game, with the first being taken after 25 minutes.
As the game fizzled out as the players tired and the substitutions dis-jointed the rhythm of the game, it looked likely Thame would hold on comfortably to win the friendly. However, with virtually the last kick of the game, Ardley had a glorious chance to equalise, but after a clearance had been blocked the ball fell to Ardley’s number 17 on the edge of the area, but with plenty of time he decided to shoot first time with the outside of his right foot. Unfortunately for the visitors it lacked power and was easily saved by the Thame substitute keeper.
It is never wise to read to much into pre-season friendlies, but on the evidence of today’s showing there didn’t appear to be much between the two sides. That said, the higher level Thame United emerged with the victory.
Starting Line-Ups :
Thame United : Hill – Thorne, Nosakhare, Lynn, Peake-Pijnen - Gardner, Mepham – Collins, West, Pearce, Smith
Ardley United : Pratt – Isaac, Tallboys, Tooke, Gabbidon – Howards, Benjamin, Courtney, Williams – Ngathe, Odihambo
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