Corsham Town 3-2 Slimbridge AFC ( att : 137 ) -2025/26 Hellenic League Premier Division

October 25, 2025

Today, Fatbear made his second ever visit to Corsham’s Southbank, or The Secure Stadium as it is now known, and the match against Slimbridge was a meeting of 6^th vs 3^rd in the Hellenic League.

The previous visit was a 0-0 draw against Cribbs FC in March 2022 in front of 73 spectators. Corsham finished 5^th in the Hellenic League that season, and in the intervening seasons have finished 3^rd, then 2^nd , where they lost 0-1 at home in the promotion play-offs to Cinderford Town, and were a disappointing 10^th last season.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/03/corsham-town-fc-0-0-cribbs-fc-att-73.html 

The Quarrymen had an epic journey in the 2022/23 FA Vase, falling one step short of Wembley. Although Cove, Keynsham, Roman Glass St George and Deal Town were overcome in normal time, penalties were needed to get past Brislington, Royal Wootten Bassett, Brixham, and Peacehaven to reach a home semi-final against Ascot Town. In front of an incredible crowd of 1,736, after a 2-2 draw Corsham’s luck from 12 yards ran out, and they lost the shoot-out 4-5 to miss out on a trip to the Twin Towers.

None of the side that played against Cribbs in March 2022 are still with the club. Midfielder Aysa Corrick, who was their best player on the day, is now with step 4 Bristol Manor Farm after playing with step 4 Melksham Town and step 3 Taunton Town, and Cribbs.

Full-back Leon Greenland, centre-back Josh Jenkins and keeper Rob Brown are now playing at Step 4 for Westbury United, who knocked step 2 Oxford City out of the FA Cup this season.

Midfielder Simon Prangley had recently signed for step 6 Devizes Town, Brandon Munday was now with step 4 Shaftesbury, and forward Ryan Bath had retired. Player manager Gary Higdon had also retired.

Corsham Squad

Corsham made clear their ambition was promotion this season and made several notable signings in the close season.

Chris Lines, who had made over 300 appearances for Bristol Rovers, also played for MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale, Northampton, Stevenage, Bath City and more recently Roman Glass St George, was one marquee signing, as was 43-year old keeper Ryan Clarke, formerly of Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Oxford United, Bath City and Hungerford.

Also joining in the summer were ex-Frome and Dorchester striker Laurent Wilson, who was the leading goal-scorer in the Hellenic League last season whilst with Roman Glass, and midfielder Lewis Gilchrist also joined from Roman Glass.

37-year-old forward Nick McCootie had played for Chippenham, Taunton, Weston-Super-Mare, Bath City and Yate Town, whilst 19-year-old defender Romani Rowe joined after being released by Bristol City.

Forward Raphael Oppong signed from Bradford Town and defender Jaiden Pearce returned to Corsham after a spell at Bradford Town.

There was also the possibility of watching Pele play, that is ex-Chippenham Town and Basingstoke Town midfielder, Pele Kouisseoue !

During the week Corsham signed ex-Melksham and Frome Town midfielder Theo Lynden

McCootie was their top scorer so far with 7 goals followed by Gilchrist on 5. Wilson and Neikell Plummer, top scorer in 2022/23 and returning after the start of the season from Roman Glass, were next with 4 goals.

Corsham This Season

Corsham started the season poorly, and co-managers Ashley Morgan and Marvin Brown stepped down in mid-September after 0-3 defeat at Droitwich Spa, which was their 4^th defeat in 10 league games, plus an FA Cup exit to today’s visitors, Slimbridge.

After a short interim spell, Chris Lines was appointed as the new manager and his first signing was ex-Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Melksham and Swindon Supermarine midfielder Cameron Allen. Since the debacle at Droitwich Spa, the Quarrymen were played five, won five.

Corsham have progressed in the FA Vase, beating Kintbury Rangers 4-0 at home, Clanfield 85 2-0 at home ( who had the week before lost 0-3 at Thame United Reserves as reported in these diaries ), and 3-1 at Shepton Mallet. In the next round they have a trip to South Devon to play Bovey Tracey of the step 6 South West Peninsula League Premier Division East.

Corsham’s average attendance this season was 141.

Slimbridge

Slimbridge is a village in Gloucestershire with a population of just over 1,000. It is mostly known for the Wetlands Centre founded by Sir Peter Scott, which is famous for its vast array of bird life.

Its football side were founded in 1902 and are known as The Swans.

Fatbear first came across Slimbridge in 2006/07 when they won the Hellenic Premier League and Thame United were relegated. However, shortly before the next season was due to begin they surprisingly quit playing in the step 4 Southern League Division One Midland Division and instead opted to take the place of their reserves in the step 8 Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.

Three successive promotions were won to return back to Hellenic League Premier Division, and a level transfer to the Western League for 2014/15 saw a third placed finish and promotion to step 4, which this time was accepted.

Slimbridge struggled in Southern League Division One South with their best finish being 12^th in 2019/20, apart from the abridged 2020/21 season when they were 5^th after 9 games.  They were eventually relegated after finishing bottom at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Back in the Hellenic League, The Swans finished 6^th in 2023/24 and 16^th last season.

Slimbridge This Season

Slimbridge started the day in third place with a 10-2-1 record, one point behind the top two but with two and three games respectively in hand.

They won their first 8 league matches before a 3-4 home reverse to Westfields. This was followed by a 2-2 home draw with Roman Glass St George, before getting back on track with three consecutive wins.

They started in the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory at Corsham, whom they described in their preview as “big spending”. A 76^th minute goal by midfielder Casey Collins gave Slimbridge a 1-0 victory in front of a crowd of 125. This was followed by a 6-2 win at step 4 Portishead United, before bowing out 0-1 at home to Step 3 Dorchester Town with 287 spectators watching.

In the FA Vase, The Swans began with a 4-4 draw at Longlevens, winning the penalty shoot-out 3-2, and then knocked out step 6 Wells City of the Western League Division One 3-2 at home last weekend. They also face a trip to South Devon in the next round, to play step 5 Ivybridge Town.

Slimbridge had an average league attendance of 165.

Slimbridge Squad

Confusingly, both of Slimbridge’s two main strikers were Jack Smith ! However, one is referred to as Jack W Smith. Jack William had scored 14 times already this season whilst Jack had found the net on 6 occassions, as had Casey Collins. Jack had previously played for Malmsbury Victoria, and Brimscombe and Thrupp.

Midfielder Raiyan Ahmed rejoined the club in July having played for Pershore Town and Brinscombe & Thrupp, and keeper Alex Kovacevic was previously with Hartpury University. Keeper Stephen Sarkodie and midfielder Kian Kang also joined in the summer from Hartpury,

Midfielder Ryan Ponting, not Ricky, was another with experience at Brinscombe & Thrupp, and staying on the cricketing theme, the Slimbridge squad also included ex-Forest Green youth player Joe Stokes.

Full-back Joe Shutt rejoined in the summer, having played for Fairford Town.

Matchday Information

The journey from Slimbridge to Corsham is 27 miles and should normally take around 55 minutes but with the M4 being closed in Bristol today the journey would have taken about took 1 hour 20 minutes. Around 25 Slimbridge fans appeared to have made the journey.

After some showers earlier in the day, the weather at the 15.00 kick-off was dry and mostly blue skies, with a temperature of 10 degrees.

Entrance to the game was £8 for adults and £5 for concessions, A printed programme had been produced for the match at a cost of £1. A cup of tea was £2, a cheeseburger was £5.00 and a portion of chips £3.50. A small bottle of white wine was £6.

Slimbridge made four changes to the side that started against Wells City with full-backs Haydn Evans and Tristan Haswell, and forwards Dan Hanson and Jack Smith coming into the team. Jack W Smith was away on holiday, Ahmed dropped to the bench and Elliot Emm missed out completely. Jacob Rogers was due to start but dropped out before kick-off with an illness, so Charlie Mathews returned to the XI.

Corsham made just one change to the side that beat Shepton Mallett, with new signing Lynden starting in place Brandon Opurteri.

Slimbridge were in an all-green kit, whilst Corsham were in all red.

 

Match Report

After a slow start to the game, the first piece of action arrived in the 3^rd minute, when McCootie’s 25 yard shot skidded off the surface, and after reacting late, Slimbridge keeper Kovacevic was able to dive and get a hand to the ball and push it wide for a corner. Corsham forced a consecutive corner, from which Pearce was unable to get a head to, and Evans hoofed the ball off for a Corsham throw-in.

Corsham continued to press and Lines’ cross-field pass reached Plummer, whose dummy was so good it not only beat two Slimbridge defenders but also himself ! However, Plummer recovered to regain possession, run down the byline and crossed low to the near post, where McCootie slid in to steer the ball inside the next post. The home side led 1-0 with 8 minutes on the clock.

Gilchrist then released Pele on the right wing, but the ball into the Slimbridge area aiming for McCootie was poor and easily cut-out.

The visitors’ first attack saw a long range effort from Toby Soule bounce a couple of feet wide with keeper Clarke an interested spectator. A minute later Mathews did well on the left to cross and Smith teed up Hanson, whose shot was deflected over the bar for Slimbridge’s first corner. Mathews ran across to the other side of the pitch to take, and his inswinging effort was missed by everyone at the near post and bounced inside the far post for a goal direct from the corner. It was now 1-1 after 15 minutes.

At this point, some light rain started to fall and Slimbridge fashioned a nice move involving Kang, Smith and Hanson, but good defending by Rowe ended the danger. Kang then played another nice looking pass to put Shutt clear down the right wing, but his cross was too high for Smith and Rowe put the ball out for a throw.

Shutt then got past Hill and delivered an inviting low ball towards the far post, but Mathews sliding in at the far post, was unable to apply the final touch.

Slimbridge had enjoyed a short spell of dominance after getting back on level terms but Corsham raised their game and quickly restored their led. Ethan Hill blocked an attempted Slimbridge clearance and received a return pass from Lynden to make some yards down the left. A low ball across the 18 yard line was met by Lines, who majestically sent a low left-footed shot into the bottom keeper before Kovacevic even had a chance to move. 2-1 after 24 minutes.

Shortly after, Pele found Lynden but the shot from just outside the area was partially blocked and looped up high for Kovacevic to take an easy catch.

The short rain shower had now passed and Corsham’s defence showed an unusual way to end an opposition attack. Pearce and Rowe collided whilst both attempted to head a cross away and Rowe came off worse. As it was a head injury the referee immediatley stopped play, and after a short injury delay, play recommenced with a drop ball to Corsham….

Slimbridge could have drawn level again in the 32^nd minute. The Corsham defence allowed a long clearing ball to bounce, and after it went over the head of Hill, Shutt ran onto it to have a 1 v 1 with the keeper, but Clarke blocked the shot with his legs.

The Slimbridge keeper was then in the action, punching a way a cross from Hill before McCootie could head home.

Soule then committed a bad foul on McCootie near the half-way line but the referee kept his cards in his pocket, and a minute later, Soule again avoided sanction for a late tackle on McCottie.  The home fans were further riled when Pearce was chopped down for the third bad foul from Slimbridge in three minutes and still no card was shown. However, they were silent moments later when Hanson was brought down as he headed for the Corsham penalty area and the referee waved for play to continue !

Slimbridge almost found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when a cross-cum-shot from Shutt flew over the keeper’s head but also just wide of the far post.

After the teams headed to the dressing rooms at the interval, Corsham probably just about deserved their 2-1 lead but Slimbridge had missed a couple of good chances, and an intriguing second half was in prospect.

 The second half commenced in an almost identical fashion to the first half, as McCootie’s shot from 25 yards went a foot or two wide. Then a good move by Corsham required a brave tackle from Ponting to prevent McCootie being able to shoot from 8 yards.

The goal that Corsham’s play deserved since half-time finally came when a long ball forward was expertly chest controlled by Plummer into the path of McCootie, who shot first time into the bottom corner from just outside the area, with again Kovacevic having no chance. Corsham now led 3-1 with 56 minutes on the clock.

Slimbridge were looking like a beaten side and Lynden ran past several would be tacklers, but the effort lacked power and Kovacevic made a routine save.

The introduce of Ahmed added some spark to The Swans and the substitute almost immediately wriggled his way past his marker into the Corsham area, but his smashed effort was well parried by keeper Clarke. Corsham broke swiftly but Lynden’s shot from just inside the area was blocked by a Slimbridge defender.

Corsham centre-back Freckleton then embarked on a mazy run out of the Corsham defence, running from the left to almost to the right-hand corner flag, but his cross was just too high for Plummer.

At the other end, Shutt did well on the left and crossed to beyond the far post where Ponting headed back across goal, but Hitchings could have done better, only for his header from 6 yards to go high and wide.

With twenty minutes remaining to play, Slimbridge sent a ball down the right-hand channel and Pearce expertly escorted the ball off for a goal-kick ahead of Slimbridge substitute Theo Browne, who then embarassingly threw himself to the floor holding his head. Fortuantely, the referee was not conned by the absymal acting.

Rogers had sufficiently recovered from his illness to enter the field as a substitute, but it was Jack Hughes, the other substitute who was introduced at the same time, who was to have a bigger impact on the game.

Shutt drilled a fierce cross from the right-wing and Hughes met it with a flying header to send the ball into the top corner from close to the penalty spot for a spectacular goal. It was now 3-2 after 77 minutes and game on !

The game was now frentic end-to-end football. A Corsham left-wing cross bounced across the goalmouth but Pearce could only steer the ball over the bar from beyond the far post. Then, a lovely run and through ball from Ahmed put Hughes clear, but the Slimbridge substitute was denied by the legs of keeper Clarke.

Slimbridge were now on top, their supporters were getting vocal, and Corsham were hanging on. Shutt fired a low shot across the goal but a couple of yards wide. Browne won a corner, which was only partially cleared, but after it was played back into the mixer, Hughes turned and shot, his attempt went comfortably over the bar.

After good hold up play from Hughes, Ahmed then played an excellent cross from the right wing but it was just too high for Rogers to latch onto.

Rogers then forced a corner off Hill, and after Corsham cleared to the edge of their area, Slimbridge lost possession and Oppong ran the length of the field. Mathews forced him to go slightly wide, but a strong left footed shot from 18 yards was well pushed away by Kovacevic.

In added on time, a long ball out of the Corsham defence bounced kindly for McCootie, who prodded goalwards. Kovacevic stuck a hand and made a partial save, and Ponting was able to recover and clear the ball before it could cross the line.

As the game entered its 4^th minute of added time, Ahmed was chopped down as he broke from half-way, but again the referee was determined not to show any cards, perhaps he had left them at home !

Slimbridge keeper Kovacevic went up for the free-kick but Clarke was able to punch away and the full-time whistle blew almost immediately after.

This was a fabulous game for the neutral to watch and a good advert for the Hellenic League. Corsham probably deserved the three points, but Slimbridge made them sweat in the closing stages but they probably left it too late to bring on Ahmed and Hughes, who made a big impression after they came on.

Corsham moved upto 4^th in the table and Slimbridge remained in 3^rd place.

Highlights :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FLQTHy8Abg

Corsham : Clarke – Rowe ( Alden ), Freckleton, Pearce, Hill – Kouisseoue ( Oppong ), Gilchrist ( Opurteri ) , Lines, Lynden – McCootie, Plummer

Slimbridge AFC : Kovacevic – Evans ( Browne ), Hitchings, Ponting, Haswell ( Ahmed ) – Shutt, Soule, Kang, Mathews – Hanson ( Rogers ), Smith ( Hughes )

 

 

 

Chinnor 47-26 Coventry ( att : 2,104 ) – 2025/26 English Champ

October 18, 2025

Into the middle of October, Chinnor finally got to play a home league match as they hosted Coventry, one of the country’s most famous names in English rugby. In the early season table, 13^th hosted 9^th.

These diaries reported on Chinnor’s disappointing opening day 13-18 loss at newly promoted Richmond, after which they predicted suffered a hammering at two-time champions Ealing Trailfinders. A 7-57 defeat was probably one they were glad to get out of the way so early in the season, especially as Ealing appear to look even stronger than last season.

Chinnor had just one point from two games, with only London Scottish below them without a point.

Coventry faced a tough start to the season, beginning with a visit to the revived Worcester Warriors, and looked impressive in taking a 19-7 lead at half-time. However, Warriors came back in the second half to win 29-19, but only after the officials had controversially not awarded a penalty try to Coventry when the scores were level.

Last weekend Coventry hosted Bedford Blues, and after a game of ebb-and-flow, they ran out winners by 35-30.

Previous Meetings

Fatbear reported on Coventry’s first ever visit to Kingsey Road last March, which Coventry won 45-37. Chinnor were on top in the opening 25 minutes and last 15 minutes of the game, but Coventry ultimately won the match with their play in the other 40 minutes ! Chinnor missed out on a losing bonus point when a difficult conversion with the last kick of the game slid past the uprights.

That report included a short history of Coventry RFC

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2025/03/chinnor-37-45-coventry-att-2142-202425.html 

Coventry had won their home game against Chinnor earlier in the season by a 28-14 margin, and had also won two previous friendlies they had hosted against Chinnor.

Coventry Squad

The Coventry squad for this season has seen plenty of departures and new signings from last season.  From the 23 players that featured at Chinnor last March, only 6 were involved in today’s game, half-backs Josh Barton and Tom Mathews, Welsh centre Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti, flying wing David Opoku-Fordjour, hooker Suva Ma’asi and back-row forward Mackenzie Graham.

Of the new recruits, prop Aristot Benz-Salomon was part of the victorious Hartpury side at Chinnor last season, lock Allan Ferrie had recently signed from Melrose, Welsh back-row forward Morgan Strong was previously with Doncaster, Ampthill and Ospreys, full-back Tom Bacon has returned from Australia having previously played for Ampthill, and wing Ewen Baker arrived from Northampton.

The top points scorers so far this season were ex-Newcastle Falcons and Gwent Dragons fly-half Josh Thomas, who was on the substitutes bench, with 24 points, whilst winger Peter Sullivan had scored two tries but was missing today.

Matchday Information

According to AA route planner, the journey from Coventry to Thame is 66 miles and should normally take around 70 minutes down the M40.

The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was dry and grey clouds with a temperature of 13 degrees. A mild breeze made it feel a little chilly.

Adult tickets purchased online were £16. For over £65s it was £14 but an extra £5 was being charged to sit in the new covered stand behind the goal at the ring-road end. Prices at the gate were £19 for adults.

An online programme had been produced in advance of today’s game. The scoreboard had been replaced with a large screen, which showed the pictures of the match being broadcast on Clubber TV.

Coventry made six changes to the XV that started against Bedford. With scrum-half Sam Maunder suspended for three games after a 20-minute red card against Bedford, Barton returned to the side and Mathews swopped at fly-half with Thomas. Ma’asi swopped at hooker with Jordan Poole, Ferrie replaced ex-Nottingham lock Jack Shine, Graham replaced Chester Owen in the back-row and Baker was on the wing in place of Sullivan. Ex-Chinnor prop Keston Lines was amongst the substitutes.

Chinnor made three changes in the pack with Chris Moore exchanging with Alun Walker at hooker. In the back-row, on loan back-row forwards from Ealing, New Zealander Jamie Carr and Gabriel Mann started, with Scott Hall and Dan Cooke dropping to the bench.

In the backs, Kieran Goss replaced Freddie Owsley on the wing and Connor Slevin returned on loan from Harlequins after 16 appearances last season to replace Ryan Crowley at full-back.

Coventry were in an all-black kit with turquoise trimmings and helpfully a large white square on the back of their shirts with the player’s number, whilst Chinnor were in their change kit of gold shirts with black shorts and socks.

 

Match Report

Chinnor recorded arguably their best result in their history with a 21-point victory over a full-time professional side, although this didn’t look likely after Coventry had raced into a 19-0 lead in the opening 17 minutes.

Coventry started in an irrepressible fashion and Chinnor’s cause was not being helped by giving away a number of penalties and a couple of knock-ons, enabling Coventry to keep play deep inside the Chinnor half.  Back-row forwards Tom Ball and Graham were ruling the roost at the line-out to give the visitors an almost never-ending stream of possession.

The opening score came in the 5^th minute. A Chinnor knock-on under pressure gave Coventry a scrum around 8 metres from the Chinnor line, and Coventry drove several times for the line but were repelled, but eventually Strong lived up to his name by barging over the tryline close to the post. Mathews added the extras to make the score 0-7.

Chinnor briefly threatened when fly-half Nathan Chamberlain sent a kick into space inside the Coventry 22, but a great clearing kick from Bacon took play back into the Chinnor half. Coventry won the Chinnor throw for a second time and forced another penalty to kick to 5 metres from the Chinnor line. Coventry’s forwards again repeatedly drove for the tryline until the ball was dropped and when Chinnor wing Grant Hughes picked up the loose ball he knocked on in the tackle, although it looked like he had been interfered with before he picked up the ball.

Coventry had a scrum 10 metres from the tryline and again launched many drives for the line but the Chinnor defence was good. Eventually the ball was spread to the right and Baker dived over the line close to the corner. Mathews was again successful from the tee, taking the score to 0-14 after 15 minutes.

Straight from the restart, Coventry released Opoku-Fordjour who showed great pace to run down the touchline, and then nice footwork took him past the covering defender to score a scintillating try. The conversion slid wide of the post, so the score became 0-17 with 17 minutes on the clock.

A long afternoon looked in prospect for Chinnor but when Slevin ran the restart clearance back at the Coventry defence he was illegally stopped, and Chinnor kicked the penalty into the Coventry 22. Chinnor finally won a lineout as Jamie Campbell rose the highest, and Hughes, Slevin and Keiran Goss all had runs for the line stopped short and Coventry conceded another penalty, which was kicked to 5 metres.

Campbell again won the line-out and this time Mann was tackled short of the line but the referee awarded another penalty to Chinnor. A quick-tap was taken and Mann and then Moore drove for the line, but Chinnor were penalised for crossing, enabling Coventry to clear to midway inside their half. It felt like it was going to be one of those days for Chinnor, any chances they got needed to be taken.

The Coventry throw was judged to be not straight to give Chinnor a scrum, but the Coventry pack won a scrum penalty to take play back inside the Chinnor 22. Although Coventry won their line-out the ball was spilled and Hughes sent a great kick down the touchline to bounce into touch inside the Coventry half.

Graham secured line-out ball and Benz-Salomon made a charging run. When Coventry recycled possession, a loose pass led to a scrum to the home side. Slevin made a good run but was tackled inside the Coventry 22 and Chinnor drove for the tryline, but the ball was eventually dropped after good defence from Coventry. However, the scrum was awarded to Chinnor and the ball was released to James Bourton, who was tackled as he ran for the line, but scrum-half Luke Carter picked up from the base of the ruck, dummied to pass, and then darted over close to the posts. Chamberlain add the easy conversion and Chinnor had brought the score back to 7-19 after 28 minutes.

The mistakes were now being made by the Coventry side. After Graham had won a line-out, Opoku-Fordjour dropped the ball when Coventry attempted to go wide. Another knock-on gave Chinnor another scrum, at which they won a free-kick. After a quick tap, Carter sent the ball high into the Coventry 22, where Opoku-Fordjour dropped the ball, but it was deemed to have gone backwards and Coventry were able to clear.

A high kick from Coventry was caught by Chamberlain, who dodged past the on-rushing Coventry player and fed Carter, who made an eye-catching break through the centre of the Coventry defence, and then Watson and Chamberlain were involved, with a final pass to Slevin, who had a clear run to the corner, and then had the sense to run around to under the posts. Chamberlain had another easy conversion and Chinnor were back in the game at 14-19 after 36 minutes.

Although Ball won another lineout Chinnor were awarded a penalty for foul play on George Stokes, which took them up to the Coventry 10 metre line. Carr won the line out and Carter sent a probing kick which unkindly ran away from full-back Bacon, who them received a crunching tackle from Hughes when he finally gathered the ball. Coventry’s defence was scrambling and a penalty was yielded, which Chinnor kicked to 5 metres to set-up an opportunity to take a half-time lead. However, Coventry defended the rolling maul and the referee blew his whistle to end the half with Coventry leading 19-14.

Chinnor immediately put Bacon under pressure at the start of the second period, having to field two high balls, and the second resulted in a penalty to Chinnor for not releasing, which took Chinnor to within 10 metres of the tryline. Campbell won the line out and Bourton and Slevin were both tackled as they ran for the line. Carter thought he had scored but play continued, before prop Rob Hardwick finally bulldozed his way over. Another regulation conversation for Chamberlain gave Chinnor a 21-19 lead with 44 minutes played.

Ball again won a Coventry lineout after Chinnor had cleared the restart, but they kicked long to Hughes, who ran back down the touchline and chipped ahead over the defending winger. Slevin beat Hughes to the ball, kicked the ball forward and then dived on the ball for another try for Chinnor. A difficult conversion from close to the touchline drifted wide of the uprights so it was now 26-19 after 47 minutes.

Coventry won a penalty after Bacon had claimed a high ball returning the restart, which they kicked into the Chinnor half, but unexpectedly Chinnor stole the Coventry throw and won a penalty to take play back into the Coventry half.

Campbell’s tap back was messy, and Carter was forced to kick but Api Bavadra dropped the ball to give Chinnor a scrum 10 metres from the tryline. Coventry defended the next Chinnor attack, but only at the expense of a penalty and a yellow card to lock Senitiki Nayalo.

Campbell won the lineout and the rolling maul headed for the tryline at a rate of knots, and Walker peeled off to score in the corner. Chamberlain added an impressive touchline conversation as Chinnor extended their lead to 33-19 after 54 minutes.

Chinnor were now rampant and Slevin’s kick ahead was covered by Bacon, but Tiueti knocked on in the tackle when Coventry tried to counterattack. Chinnor won a penalty at the scrum and this time Conor Brockschmidt won the lineout. The rolling maul made its way through some flimsy defending until the ball was spilt but Chinnor were given the put in at the scrum. When a free-kick was awarded, Chinnor took it quickly, and Carr had the strength to score. Coventry prop Matt Johnson was shown a yellow card for his efforts to prevent the try, and Chamberlain again added the extras. Chinnor now led 40-19 with 62 minutes played.

Now needing three scores to even tie the match, Coventry started to play again. A dangerous attack ended with Bacon passing behind Baker and straight into touch, but a penalty advantage had been played, so Coventry had a 5-metre lineout. However, the throw was long and Chinnor pounced on the loose ball and cleared.

Ball won another line out and Coventry spread the ball to the left and then back infield where Ball made a break through the heart of the Chinnor defence, but Goss made a superb try saving tackle, and with no support, Ball was pinged for not releasing.

A lengthy injury delay then ensued as a stretcher was brought on for Coventry substitute hooker Poole, who thankfully was able to get up and leave the field unaided.

Coventry enjoyed a period camped inside the Chinnor 22. After a 5-metre rolling maul was stopped, another long pass went into touch but again a penalty advantage was being played and so it was back to a 5 metre line-out. The Coventry pack made many drives for the line and eventually Ma’asi breached the overworked Chinnor defence, and Thomas knocked over the conversion. The score had moved to 40-26 with 79 minutes showing on the scoreboard clock.

Chinnor responded right away with substitute Will Cave bursting through the middle, drawing the full-back and playing the pass for Carter to canter over the line. Chamberlain’s 6^th conversation of the day extended Chinnor’s lead to 47-26 with 81 minutes on the clock.

The scoreboard clock had not been stopped for the earlier injury so there would be at least 6 addition minutes to be played, plus any other occasions when the referee had stopped the clock. In the event, 11 extra minutes were to be played.

Coventry were trying to run from everywhere, but kept running into a wall of Chinnor defenders. Bavadra was flattened by an immense tackle but when Chinnor moved the ball wide, Morgan Passman was unable to hold onto the pass with space ahead of him. Chinnor’s Callum Pascoe almost made an interception but after a couple of juggles eventually dropped the ball.

Coventry won a penalty to have a line-out 8 metres from the Chinnor line, and when they spread the ball, Tom Miles made a break but his long pass went well forward and the pass was dropped anyway on the tryline.

Coventry continued to try and run the ball but after multiple knock-ons from both sides they were awarded a scrum but Chinnor’s defence remained good, but Coventry won another penalty which was kicked to 5 metres. Dan Cooke stole the lineout for Chinnor and Cave gleefully kicked the ball out of play to end the game.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klybl8VH6D8

 

 

 

MFK Vitkovice 2-3 SK Sigma Olomouc B ( att : 100 ) – 2025/26 Czech 3.MSFL

October 15, 2025

With the International Break now over, European Leagues take their time to resume with players still to return from their travels, so with hardly any options on this Wednesday afternoon, Fatbear decided to settle down and take a look at a game in the third Level of The Czech Republic.

The MSFL, or the Moravskoslezská fotbalová liga ( Moravian-Silesian Football League ) to give it its full name, is one of three regional third divisions, the champions of which are promoted to the second tier Czech National Football League.

The MSFL consists of 18 sides, who play each other home and away for a 34 game season. The bottom three sides are relegated to the Fourth Divisions.

Today was the final match of round 11, with Vitkovice starting the day in 8th position but knowing that a win could move them up to 4th. Sigma Olomouc B were in third and a victory would take them to joint second in the table. The match was originally due to be played last weekend, but was postponed as Vitkovice had players called up to national Under 19 squads.

MFK Vitkovice

Vitkovice, from the city of Ostrava, is a famous name in Czech football and has a rich history. In 1985/86, as TJ Vitkovice, they won the Czechoslovak League and in the following season’s European Cup eliminated Paris St-Germain 3-2 on aggregate, before being knocked out by Porto in the next round after winning the first leg 1-0 at home.

A second place finish in the 1986/87 Czechoslovak season led to a place in the UEFA Cup, where they eliminated AIK Stockholm, Dundee United and Vitoria Guimares on their way to the quarter-finals, falling to Espanyol ( 0-2 on aggregate ).

Vitkovice had been receiving substantial funding from the local steel and iron works but the fall of Communism and the Velvet Revolution led to financial problems in the industry, resulting in the cessation of support. The club accordingly suffered and were in the third division MSFL when the club withdrew from the league in 2012 due to insolvency.

A reformed club was started and had floated between the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th divisions until last season when they finished second in the fourth level Divize F to earn promotion and return to the MSFL.

Vitkovice’s home ground is the 15,163 capacity Mestsky Stadium, which is now shared with Banik Ostrava. Their home colours are all blue and white stripes.

MFK Vitkovice This Season

After 10 matches Vitkovice had a 5-2-4 record but were 3-1-1 at home. They started the season like a train with 4 wins and a draw in their first 5 matches, but then lost three in a row. Their last three matches had been a win, a draw, and last time out, a 0-1 lost at Frydek-Mistek.

Home matches are being played this season at the Vista Sports Centre, which has no seats or cover for spectators, nor any floodlights, which explains the early kick-off in mid-week. It does though have a grass pitch, which was a little bobbly and made passing football difficult.

Average attendances this season were 146.

MFK Vitkovice Squad

Only three of the 16 players who appeared in Vitkovice’s last match were over 21. The most notable was 36 year-old Serbian attacking midfielder Nemanja Kuzmanovic, who had a long career in the Czech Republic with Opava and Banik Ostrava, as well as a spell in Cyprus with Nea Salamis Famagusta. Kuzmanovic featured in these diaries playing for Banik in 2022.

Forward Denis Nieslanik was 26 years old and scored 43 times last season. He was in his third season with Vitkovice having previously played for Vyskov and Frydek-Mistek in the MSFL, whilst midfielder Matyas Richtar, also 26, was in his fourth season with the club.

Seven of the teenagers were on loan from Banik Ostrava. Right-back David Rehacek and attacking midfielder Lukas Dvoracek were Czech Under 19 internationals whilst winger Jonathan Okebugwu, midfielder Moses Enebi and left-back Justice Jonathan were from Nigeria, and centre-back Michael Ouly was from the Ivory Coast. Keeper Tobias Keller was the other loanee from Banik, whilst defender Filip Svrcek had signed permanently from Banik.

Nieslanik and Dvoracek were the top scorers with 3 goals each and four players were on two goals each.

FK Sigma Olomouc

Sigma Olomouc have traditionally been one of the strongest sides in the Czech Republic, and have once been covered in these diaries, when they also travelled to Ostrava and were victorious over Banik in July 2022. 

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/07/fc-banik-ostrava-0-3-sk-sigma-olomouc.html 

Last season they finished 6^th in the Czech First League but it was a 3-1 victory over Sparta Prague in the Czech Cup Final that meant a return to European competition, in the shape of the Conference League stages. However, Sigma’s B team ended in bottom place in the Czech National Football League to be relegated and play in the MSFL this season.

B sides are permitted to play in the Czech league structure but are not allowed to play in the same division as their parent side. The relegation of Sigma’s B side left only three B sides playing at the second level, those of Sparta, Slavia and Banik.

Sigma had made a strong start in their bid to return to the second tier, with a 6-3-1 record and were unbeaten away from home. The only defeat had been an unexpected 0-2 home reverse to mid-table Hlubina which came in the middle of winning 5 of their first 6 matches. A run of three consecutive draws ended in their most recent match with a 3-1 home win over bottom of the table Hlucin.

Like Vitkovice, only three of the 16 players who appeared in Sigma’s last match were over 21. Left winger Paval Zifcak was the top scorer with 6 goals, and had previously played for Pardubice in the top division as well as making 99 first team appearances for Sigma, one of which was the game at Banik reported on by Fatbear. He looks to have put on some weight in the mean time !

Centre-forward Denis Kramar had scored 5 times, was a former Czech Under 20 International and joined Sigma from Opava, whilst defender-back Vojtech Kristal had signed from Opava and had played over 100 games in the top 2 divisions in the Czech Republic.

Goalkeeper Tadeas Stoppen, a great name for a keeper, was a Czech Under 21 International, whilst ex-Hranice centre-back Adam Dohnalek and winger Filip Urica were Czech Under 20 Internationals. Centre-back Patrik Siegl, defender David Macharacek and midfielder Simon Jalovicor were Under 19 Internationals.

Sigma B’s coach, Roman West, had previously been in charge at Vitkovice and top flight teams Opava and Slovacko.

Sigma B’s average home attendance this season was 184.

Matchday Information

The distance between Olomouc and Ostrava is around 95km and normally takes about an hour by road.

The weather at the 15.30 kick-off local time ( 14.30 UK ) was cloudy and 10 degrees.

A Vitkovice season ticket costs 800 CZK ( £29 ) but details of prices for individual matches were not available on their website.

The match was streamed live on the TVCOM.cz website and Bet365.com made Sigma 8/11 favourites, with Vitkovice at 13/5 and the draw at 29/10.

Sigma made one change to the starting XI against Hlucin with Kevin Huna coming into the side for Siegl, who missed out altogether.

Vitkovice made two changes. Kuzmanovic, who now works as a player’s agent for a living was missing, perhaps he couldn’t get time off ! Maxim Pilar dropped to the bench as Marek Sindler and Enebi started.

Sigma were in a change kit of all yellow whilst Vitkovice were in their blue and white stripes, with blue shorts and socks.

Match Report

The was little urgency to start the match, which eventually commenced  six minutes after the scheduled kick-off time. There were probably only around 50 spectators at the ground when play started, but the numbers steadily increased as the first half progressed.

Sigma kicked off and had the ball in the net inside the first minute, but Kramar’s tidy finish was ruled out for offside. Sindler then made a very late tackle on Dohnalek as the Sigma defender made a clearance but no card was forthcoming.

Sigma dominated the early stages but a few balls into the Vitkovice area produced nothing of note until the 5^th minute, when a cross from the left-wing from Urica was somehow put wide by Zifcak from the centre of the 6 yard line

Three minutes later, Vitkovice keeper Keller failed to hold a right wing cross and Ouly stabbed away before Kramar could take advantage.

Vitkovice’s response was a cross from the left wing which Sigma keeper Stoppen unconvincingly pushed away.

A long-range Sigma shot was fumbled by the Vitkovice keeper and this time Jonathan put the ball out for a corner.

Sigma’s pressure eventually told when a cross from the left wing was met beyond the far post by the head of Orisek. Players from both sides attempted to play the ball as it bounced across the goalmouth, but they all seemed to miss and the ball ended up creeping inside the opposite post. The goal was credited to Orisek as the score became 0-1 in the 21^st minute.

However, out of the blue Vitkovice equalised. There didn’t appear to be too much danger as Richtar ran onto a ball down the right-hand channel, but he unleashed a ferocious finish past the keeper from just inside the area. Perhaps Stoppen could have done better, but it was now 1-1 with 27 minutes on the clock

Shortly after going behind Urica played a teasing ball in from the left that Kramar just couldn’t reach, and Keller gathered at the second attempt

Vitkovice though were buoyed by being on level terms and dominated the rest of the first half. Dvoracek’s free-kick from just outside the area on the left was headed over by Okebugwu from 8 yards. The Nigerian followed up a minute later with a left-footed effort from just inside the area, which Stoppen pushed over the bar.

Okebugwu was in the action again when he was found inside the right-hand side of the Sigma penalty area and laid the ball back to Ouly, whose ball into the area was only partially cleared, but a first time volley from the edge of the area went a yard over the bar

Sindler then turned and shot from the edge of the area but David Drabek was able to block for a corner, which was played short. Dvoracek went down just inside the area near the left byline, but the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty.

The sun was now already setting as an incisive pass reached Sindler, who shot from the edge of the penalty box, but Stoppen dived to his right and held on to the attempt.

With 4 minutes of the first half remaining, Vitkovice won a free-kick close to the right-hand touchline. Dvoracek took it and his kick struck the near post and went off for a goal-kick.

As the game moved into added on time, Enebi won possession near the half-way line and released Okebugwu on the left, who ran towards the Sigma area. He then played a square pass across 18 yard line, which was swept home left footed by the advancing Enebi to make in 2-1 with 45 minutes played.

Vitkovice’s lead at half-time was a major turnaround after Sigma had dominated opening 25 minutes but the possession statistics were 55% in favour of Vitkovice.

The second half started in a similar vein to how the first half ended. The impressive Dvoracek played a smart reverse pass but Dohnalek was able to put the ball off before Rehacek could latch onto it. Okebugwu had a shot blocked, then four minutes into the second half Rehacek passed to Dvoracek, who cut inside onto his left-foot but his effort from 14 yards crashed against crossbar and bounced away to safety.

Dvoracek seemed to have licence to roam and was now playing a lot further forward than he had in the first half.

Vitkovice forced two consecutive corners, and from the second Okebugwu teed up Enebi, who completely missed an overhead kick. Sigma swiftly attacked on the counter and Urica drew the last covering defender and unselfishly squared for Zifcak, who calmly slid the ball past the keeper. After hanging on, Sigma were now level at 2-2 in the 53^rd minute.

The first yellow card of the game was brandished in the 58^th minute after Ouly went in late on Kristal as the Sigma defender played a pass back to his keeper.

Vitkovice were still looking the side most likely to score the next goal as Okebugwu made a strong run and fed Richtar, who perhaps remembering his first half strike, opted to shoot rather than pass to the on-running Dvoracek, but his low shot went a couple of feet wide, and the diving keeper had it covered anyway.

Dvoracek then played a good looking ball down the left for Enebi to run onto. Although the cross was long, Adam Antonin was able to keep the move alive and got to the byline to play a ball across the 6-yard box, but no-one was on hand to finish.

A long-range shot was pushed away by Stoppen and Richtar retrieved the loose ball, but again no-one could apply the finishing touch to the ball across the goalmouth.

Sigma relieved the pressure and won two corners, the second of which was scrambled clear and Dvoracek and Okebugwu looked to counterattack, until Okebugwu was fouled midway inside the Sigma half.

Sigma were getting back into the game and a Kristal header from a free-kick was punched away and Zifcak was crowded out when trying to turn and shoot. Huna then won a corner on the left. Jalovicor’s delivery was long and Kristal could only volley straight back to the Sigma midfielder, whose return cross was glanced over the bar by Matej Kolarik.

Enebi became the second home player to see yellow after late tackle, but Vitkovice shot themselves in the foot two minutes later. Svrcek completely mishit a back pass and Kramar was all alone as he gathered the ball, and slammed a low shot into the bottom corner. Kramar received a yellow card, presumably for his celebration, but he probably didn’t care to much as he had made the score 2-3 after 77 minutes.

Vitkovice desperately searched for an equaliser and Dvoracek played a glorious ball to Enebi who passed to Okebugwu, but the pass across goal was intercepted

Zifcak stayed down injured after a tackle and the referee allowed play to continue. Okebugwu made another good run but Jan Tkacik’s touch when trying to control the low ball across the goalmouth was poor, and the chance had gone.

In added on time, a corner from Dvoracek bounced across the goal, but Sigma were able to clear at second attempt. Svrcek then played a ball across the Sigma area which was missed by everyone. Enebi recovered possession and crossed back into the 6-yard box but Denis Nieslanik was unable to make proper contact with his header, and Sigma gratefully cleared.

 Sigma saw out the last few seconds to hold onto a 3-2 victory. The score was harsh on Vitkovice, who deserved something from the game. Dvoracek, Jonathan and Okebugwu all impressed for Vitkovice, but mistakes proved to be costly.

Sigma remained in third place in the table, behind Hodunin on goal difference and 5 points behind leaders Trinec but with a game in hand.  

MFK Vitkovice : Keller – Rehacek ( Michlik ), Ouly, Svrcek, Jonathan – Richtar ( Tkacik ), Antonin ( D. Nieslanik ), Dvoracek, Enebi – Okebugwu, Sindler ( T. Nieslanik )

FK Sigma Olomouc B : Stoppen - Orisek, Dohnalek, Kristal ( Andrle ), Huna – Zifcak ( Michalik ), Jalovicor, Drabek ( Gyore ), Kolarik, Urica - Kramar

 

 

 

 

Thame United 2-1 London Lions ( att : 111 ) – 2025/26 Southern League Division One Central

October 11, 2025

Like London buses, you wait for an age for a home game and then six come along ! Today saw London Lions make their first ever visit to the ASM Stadium, in meeting of 14^th versus 18^th.  Following their 4-0 victory over Marlow in midweek, Thame would be eyeing another home win over lowly opposition to take them away from the lower regions of the league table and into mid-table obscurity.

London Lions FC

Maccabi London Lions FC, to give them their full name, were founded in 1995 by the Maccabi London Association who were looking to progress from Sunday League to Saturday football and entered the Hertfordshire Senior County League. In 1999 they were rebranded London Lions but remained an all-Jewish club.

The club moved to Rowley Lane in Arkley, Barnet but after promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League in 2010 they had to groundshare at St Albans City, Broxbourne and then Hemel Hempstead Town as their ground didn’t possess floodlights or a stand. However, these facilities were installed in 2015 and the club returned to Rowley Lane.

In 2024/25 the Lions finished fourth in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division, qualifying for the promotion play-offs, where after winning on penalties at Cockfosters in the semi-finals, in front of a home crowd of 406 they defeated Wormley Rovers on penalties in the final to secure promotion to step 4 and the Southern League Division One Central.

Midfielder Max Davis was the leading goal scorer, finding the net 18 times, followed by Dan Creese with 15 goals, then Austin Lipman with 13 and Michael Perkins and Max Kyte on 12 goals. Full-back Yoav Sade is presumably a smooth operator…….

London Lions This Season

London Lions arrived at the ASM Stadium with a 2-0-6 league record, and were ahead of Marlow, and outside the relegation positions purely on alphabetical order.

Their season commenced with a 0-4 defeat at Flackwell Heath but they bounced back to thump Rayners Lane 5-1 in their first home game. Three consecutive defeats were then suffered, Ware Town ( H 0-3 ),  Welwyn Garden City ( A 0-1 ) and Barton Rovers ( H 0-1 ). Lions recovered to win 2-0 at home to Hertford Town, avenging their cup exit ( see below ), but they lost their most two recent outings, 1-2 at Beaconsfield Town and 2-7 at home to Biggleswade Town.

In the FA Cup, London Lions exited the competition at the first hurdle with a 1-3 defeat at Hertford Town and a first round exit was also suffered in the FA Trophy, departing after a 0-3 home loss to Tilbury.

Lions appeared to have a very settled squad who had mostly played together for several seasons. Of the players that appeared in their last game, only Zack Gluckstein and Ben Barnett hadn’t played for them last season.

Michael Perkins was the Lions top scorer with three goals whilst centre-back Lindon Lee had found the net on two occasions.

London Lions’s average home league attendance to-date this season was 56, the lowest in the division.

Matchday Information

The journey from Barnet to Thame is 44 miles and should normally take around an hour via the A41. Apart from the dozen or so people sitting in the director’s box, it didn’t appear as if the Lions had brought any supporters to the game.

The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was overcast and the temperature was around 15 degrees.

Entrance to the game was £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, £3 for Under 16s, whilst under 5s went in for free. A large cup of tea cost £1.50. An online programme had been produced for the match.

London Lions made three changes to the side that started the loss to Biggleswade Town. Austin Lipman was in but Adam Lipman was out. Adam Burchell and Benjamin Weinberger came into the XI at the expense of Gluckstein and Creese.

Thame made one changes to the side that started against Marlow, with Curtis Brown replacing Greg Hackett.

London Lions were in lilac shirts with grey shorts, which Fatbear thought was a bit of a fashion faux pas, whilst Thame were in their usual red and black shirts.

Matchday Report

The visitors made a lively start to the game. Jack Mattey dispossessed Luke Tingey and played a pass for Barnett to run into the Thame area, but Tingey recovered well to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal-kick.

The game had only been going for four minutes when we witnessed the first of many antics from Austin Lipman, who furiously complained to the linesman that the ball had not fully gone out of play. Some lip from Lipman…..

Weinberger made a good run to the left-hand byline, but his cross was easy for keeper Johnny Pettitt to claim.

Lions’ keeper Nathan Bloohn needed to be alert to come out of his area to tackle Brown as both went for a long ball out of the Thame defence.

Shortly after, the effing and blinding from the Lions head coach could be heard all the way across the field in the main stand, the like of which hadn’t been heard at the ASM since Mark West was managing Thame !

In the 9^th minute, Lions produced a nice move as Barnett and Davis combined to play in Lipman but the goal-bound shot from a tight angle was blocked by the legs of the Thame keeper. At the other end Brown made a good run and passed to Lance Williams in a promising position, but the Thame striker took too long and eventually had to play the ball backwards and the chance had gone.

A Thame free-kick wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell to Brown, whose shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

Lions then created the best chance of the game so far in the 14^th minute, when Weinberger got past Abu Khan and played an inviting ball into the Thame area, but Davis put the ball a few feet over from close range.

Lions’ early dominance continued as Austin won a corner, which Davis hit long for Barnett to head back into the danger zone but Dan West cleared for Thame. A Lions through ball took a deflection and Tingey had to make an important sliding intervention to prevent the ball reaching Lipman, leading to another furious complaint at the linesman, this time for a handball.

Patient build up play from Thame enabled Ethan Lack to make a cross from the right-hand side of the pitch, but the ball went far too high, and Bloohn made a comfortable catch.

With 24 minutes on the clock, play was held up for treatment to Lipman, which appeared to be a leg injury.

The first yellow card of the game was shown in the 26^th minute when Sade, in an effort to tackle Brown, ended up kicking him in the leg. One Lions player asked “Why was that a yellow card ?”, presumably unaware that kicking someone in the leg is usually punished !

The free-kick from the edge of the area on the left was well defended with a good header to concede a corner, and Thame’s short corner routine was easily cleared. Thame left-back Callum Hall then went on a strong run from inside his own half to deep into the Lions half but then undid the good work with a poor pass which went through to keeper Bloohn.

Thame keeper Pettitt launched a long ball from his area and Brown turned Sade to latch on to the ball and run into the Lions area. Brown managed to stay on his feet despite an attempt to bring him down, and squared the ball past the Lions keeper for Williams to slide in and put the ball past a defender on the goal-line to score from inside the 6-yard box. It was a goal slightly against the run of play, but Thame led 1-0 after 30 minutes.

Lions’ response to falling behind was for Barnett to turn into space but his 25-yard attempt was blocked by Tingey, and Thame cleared.

Thame almost doubled their lead when Williams latched on to a poor defensive header back to his keeper by Cohen, but his piledriver was blocked by an outstretched leg by Bloohn. Brown picked up the loose ball but his effort was also blocked, then West’s 20-yard first-time attempt went just over the bar.

A long thrown from Hall was then headed wide by Tingey at the near post.

In the 36^th minute Lipman played a cute chip behind the Thame back line for Burchell to run on to, but the low ball into the 6- yard area was cleared by Finlay Murray. However, Lipman wasn’t satisfied with Burchell’s delivery, and gave some abuse to this team-mate.

Davis then sent a dangerous cross from the left wing, which Murray, under pressure, did well to head out for a corner. Davis took the set-piece and the ball reached Lipman, who demonstrated what a good player he is, with a fantastic touch and then finish into the top corner from around 14 yards to bring the score to 1-1 with 38 minutes played.

Thame’s attempt to hit back saw West send a free-kick to beyond the far post, but Brown could only put the ball into the advertising hoardings. Shortly after, a Thame long throw saw Mark Riddick, Harry Alexander and Lack all have shots blocked by committed defending.

With half-time approaching, Riddick chested a long ball into the path of Williams, who struck the bouncing ball well from 20 yards, but Bloohm dived to his left to push the ball away.

Lack then went on a mazy run, beating three defenders before losing his footing inside the penalty area. Play went quickly down the other end of the pitch and Burchell did well to run inside the Thame area after dispossessing Hall, but then spoilt it all by going down far too easily when challenged, and then screamed for a penalty.

The final action of the first half saw West release Brown on the left, who cut inside Sade to have just the keeper to beat, but then sent his shot narrowly over the bar. It was a great chance.

The scores were level at the end of an entertaining first-half, and with both sides looking good going forward, and more goals could be expected.

Thame had the first attack of the second period when Williams won Tingey’s long ball and laid off to Alexander, whose shot was blocked. Barnett then showed good skill for Lions beating three Thame players in the middle of the field but then sent a telegraphed pass that was intercepted by Hall.

Burchell robbed Brown near the half-way line and sent Lipman down the right-hand channel, but the chip from close to the by-line was easily caught by Pettitt. After 51 minutes, Lions won a free-kick in a good position, but Lipman’s long-range attempt went harmlessly wide.

A few minutes later, a Thame long throw was headed on by Tutton but partially cleared. Brown chipped the ball back into the 6-yard area but Tutton could only head a couple of feet over the bar. Bloohn was required to come out of his area again, this time chest controlling a long ball before Williams could reach it.

Thame’s West was subjected to continued abuse from the Lions’ manager after tempers flared after a free-kick was awarded to Thame. Shortly after, Khan made a fantastic run down the right-wing and delivered a glorious cross into the Lions area, where West majestically rose to head back across goal inside the near post. It was a magnificent way to regain the lead, and West responded by running over to the Lions’s dugout with his finger over his lips. It was now 2-1 with 57 minutes played.

Before the game could recommence, Thame made three substitutions and Lions one, and Thame nearly conceded an embarrassing own goal as Khan headed a through ball past his on-rushing keeper, but his blushes were spared as the ball rolled inches wide.

Lions could have equalised a few minutes later when Khan failed to cut-out a cross-field pass and Weinberger played an inviting ball in from the left, but Davis missed from 8 yards.

A Thame move featuring substitutes Jenson Wright and Hackett broke down and Lions swiftly broke, but Burchell’s cross needed to be put out for a throw by Tingey. Davis then made a good run down the left and a threatening cross glanced off the top of Tingey’s head before Hall’s attempted defensive header sailed high in the air, and Pettitt made the catch under his crossbar.

The impressive Davis then created some space for himself but his 25-yard effort wasn’t too far over the bar.

With 72 minutes on the clock, Hall played a delicate chip from close to the touchline for Hackett run onto and into the Lions area, but again Bloohn made a brave close range save at the expense of a corner.

Substitute Gluckstein then drilled a low cross from the left wing but Murray cleared well. A minute later, West saw that Lions’ keeper Bloohn had strayed outside of his area and went for goal from the half-way line, but his effort was heading wide as Bloohn tracked back and gathered the ball.

On the next Lions attack, Davis chipped into the Thame area where Lipman failed to win a header but hilariously collapsed to the ground holding his head. Whilst the referee wasn’t fooled by the acting, he was obligated to stop play and allow Lipman to be “treated”.

With 8 minutes left to play, Davis did well on the left to win a corner, but his delivery was easy for Pettitt to claim. Thame broke and Hackett beat two defenders to play in Brown, but Brown’s touch was heavy and the ball rolled through to Bloohn.

As Lions pressed forward in search of the equaliser they left gaps in their defence. Wright released Brown down the right-hand channel, but Brown’s effort was fired across the goal and narrowly wide. Weinberger then gave the ball away to Wright who ran into the Lions area and attempted a square pass for the unmarked Hackett. However, before the Thame player could side-foot into the empty net, John Levy slid into make a great goal-saving tackle and put the ball out for a throw-in. From the long throw, Wright turned and shot just wide.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Davis robbed Khan and ran into the Thame area, but was forced wide by Tingey and could only shot from a tight angle, and Pettitt pushed the ball away for a corner. However, this wasn’t good enough for “Lippy” Lipman, who loudly complained that Davis should have tried to pass to him through a crowd of players.

Five added minutes were played, and there was still time for West to receive a yellow card, which led to his immediate substitution to prevent further trouble.

Lions launched a free-kick into the mixer and two Thame players fell to the floor, possibly pushed, but the referee allowed play to continue and the ball fell to Perkins four yards from goal. An equaliser looked inevitable, but remarkably, Pettitt dived to his left to push away the shot. A great save had denied Lions the equaliser, and Thame saw out the remaining few minutes to claim the victory.

In summary, this was an entertaining game in which Thame probably deserved to edge the victory. Lions had their chances to equalise but Thame also squandered chances to extend their lead.

Lions played plenty of attractive football and looked good enough to stay in this division, and they should score plenty of goals, but the antics of their manager and Lipman left a lot to be desired.

With this result, Thame moved up to 13^th in the table, whilst London Lions remained in 18^th.

Thame United : Pettitt – Khan, Tingey, Murray, Hall – West ( Maxwell ), Riddick, Lack ( Tutton ), Brown ( Njogu )– Williams ( Hackett ), Alexander ( Wright )

London Lions :  Bloohn – Sade, Cohen, Perkins, Weinberger – Burchell ( Jackson ), Davis, Barnett ( Levy ), Shack, Mattey ( Gluckstein ) – Austin Lipman