October 24, 2026
Storms Austen and Boelo meant Fatbear decided to stay close to home for his Saturday afternoon entertainment, with Thame United Reserves chosen for today’s game.
Thame United Reserves Update
Fatbear had seen three Thame United Reserves games and remarkably was yet to see them lose despite their struggles in recent seasons.
The last game reported on was in September 2025 when they beat Clanfield 85 3-0, but that was to be a rare bright spot in a tough season that saw them relegated from the step 6 Hellenic League Division One back to the Oxfordshire Senior League.
The two other matches had been in the 2022/23 Spartan South Midlands Division One when Amersham Town were beaten 2-1 and a 1-1 draw was played with Ampthill Town. However, these were not enough to prevent Thame from finishing bottom and being relegated to step 7.
They then spent two seasons in the Oxfordshire Senior League but a third-place finish in 2024/25 enabled Thame United Reserves to return to step 6. The OSL Premier Division allows one side to be promoted to step 6 on the condition they finish in the top 5, and as the two sides finishing above them, Yarnton and Kennington Athletic, either did not apply to be promoted or did not meet the step 6 ground criteria, the Reserves were promoted.
Oxfordshire Senior League
The OSL Premier Division looks this season to be a much harder division to get promoted out of, with a number of sides potentially looking to make the move up to step 6. In addition to Thame United Reserves, Abingdon Town, Launton Sports, Milton United, Witney and Chinnor would all be capable of making the step up if they wished to, whereas in previous seasons the only candidate was usually Thame United Reserves.
With Abingdon United Development withdrawing for the league, there are 13 sides in the Premier Division, who will play each other twice for a 24-game season, with Yarnton the defending champions.
Thame United Reserves This Season
Thame came in to today’s game in 5th place with a 3-2-1 record.
Their season began with a 1-1 draw at Launton Sports, which was followed with a 2-1 home win over Abingdon Town. A 0-2 loss was then recorded at newly reformed Milton United, but they bounced back with a 4-0 win at Longford Park, a 1-1 draw at Chinnor, then last time out a 9-1 thrashing of Cholsey United.
Thame had exited the President’s Cup with a 2-4 home loss to Division One Bicester Town Colts.
Attacking midfielder Antonio Sisi was the top scorer with 7 goals so far this season, followed by forward James Bonwick and winger Joshua Russell with three goals each.
Shipston Excelsior
Shipston Excelsior are based in Shipston-on-Stour, which is actually located in Warwickshire, 9 miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon. The club were founded in 1903 and play at the Shipston-On-Stour Sports Club. There is a small covered stand by the half-way line that provides some protection against the elements.
Shipston spent most of their recent life in the step 8 Midland League Division 3 until 2020/21 when they were level transferred to the Hellenic League Division 2 West. Another level transfer was made at the end of the 2023/24, when they move to the step 8 OSL Division One. A second placed finish at the end of 2025/26 saw Shipston promoted to the step 7 Premier Division.
Finding details for Shipston Excelsior on the internet isn’t easy as their website hasn’t been updated since 2022 and their Twitter account only made weekly posts on the forthcoming weekend’s fixtures, but the last post was on September 24th this year. However, the Facebook page is more active and gives results and very brief match reports. The only place where team details are given is the Oxfordshire Senior League FA Full-Time website.
Shipston This Season
Shipston arrived at the ASM today in 11th place in the table with a 1-0-4 record. Shipston began their season with a 0-3 loss at strongly fancied Abingdon Town but bounced back with a 5-2 home victory over Chinnor. Since then, three consecutive league defeats had been suffered, 1-2 at Chalgrove Cavaliers, 0-4 at home to Halse United, and 1-2 at home to Yarnton.
In the Birmingham FA County Cup, Shipston had eliminated Birmingham Albion 1-0 at home before exiting the competition with a 1-3 loss to fellow step 7 side Gornal Colts of the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division. The Presidents’ Cup had seen a 2-1 victory over step 9 Woodstock Town in extra time.
Three players were level with two goals each this season, Joe Godson, Jake Harris and Scott Rogers.
Previous Meetings
These two sides had never met before but last season Shipston were in OSL Division One, the same division as Thame United A. Thame’s third XI won 2-1 at home in January whilst Shipston won 3-0 in April, which went a long way to securing promotion.
Matchday Information
The journey from Shipston on Stour to Thame is 45 miles and should normally take an hour via either the A44 or M40.
As Thame United’s Southern League match last Tuesday had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and with another game scheduled for this Tuesday, it was decided to protect the main pitch at the ASM and play this match on the 3G pitch.
It was raining at the 14.00 kick-with the temperature around 11 degrees, whilst 40mph winds were forecast for later in the game. Unfortunately, there is no cover at the 3G pitch, although there is a small covered stand for the grass pitch where Thame United B were playing. Fatbear was unaware of the change of location until he arrived at the ground, and had failed to bring an umbrella !
Entrance was free and both team coaches helpfully provided Fatbear with their line-ups for the game. The bar in the clubhouse was open but Fatbear decided a cup of tea was the best option with the early kick-off, which cost £1.50.
Thame made two changes from the side that thrashed Cholsey United with left-back Edward Richardson and ex-Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Long Crendon centre-back Nathan Broadsword coming in for Ikenayi Ejmofor and Tom Gibbons.
Shipston made six changes from last week and Fatbear was informed they had 14 of their first team squad missing through injury. In came forward Patrick Fetherstone, defenders Joe Marston, Scott Rogers and Jay Drew, midfielder Matt Toms and keeper Kieron Payne.
Shipston were playing in a change kit of blue and black striped shirts, white shorts and blue socks whilst Thame were in their usual red and black stripes.
Matchday Report
The rain was getting steadily heavier as the game commenced.
The first attempt on goal came in the 2nd minute from the visitors, but Fetherstone’s long range effort went high and wide. A minute later Sisi repeated the same for Thame.
With 5 minutes played, a long ball was played out of Thame’s defence over the Shipston backline. Keeper Payne was slow to come off his line and Bonwick was able to get to the ball first and go round the keeper, but his attempt on goal lacked power and Shipston captain Will Gorski was able to get back and clear off the line.
The best move of the game to-date came in the 9th minute as Brandon Bray-Sackey showed good control near the half-way line and then played a neat pass to send Richardson racing down the left-wing and deliver an inviting cross to the Shipston 6-yard line, but Bonwick managed to put the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Thame were upping the pressure and after Casey Price’s shot straight at keeper Payne was fisted away, Russell lashed the rebound against the post and off for a goal-kick.
A rare Shipston incursion into the Thame half saw a right-wing cross met beyond the far post by Nick Walker, whose half-volley was deflected wide for a corner. A scramble inside the 6-yard area followed the corner but Thame were eventually able to clear.
However, this was only a temporary respite for Shipston as Thame continued to press. Russell saw his goal-bound effort blocked and Max Cowling’s volley from the rebound went just wide with the keeper a watching spectator. Bray-Sackey’s attempted through ball for Bonwick was well read and intercepted by Gorski. Sisi then sliced wide from 20 yards and hurt himself in the process and had to be substituted.
Russell went on a strong run into the Shipston area but his left-footed effort from a tight angle was saved at his near post by Payne. Bonwick was then found inside the Shipston area but he was crowded out by the Excelsior defenders, but the attempted clearance struck a Shipston player and ricocheted narrowly wide for a corner.
At the other end a right-wing cross from Jake Harris bounced across the Thame penalty area but no-one was up in support to get on the end of it.
The opening goal of the game arrived in controversial circumstances. Bray-Sackey ran onto a through ball and looked to be a yard or two off-side. Most of the players stopped and belatedly the Shipston linesman slowly raised his flag. However, the referee waved for play to continue, and Bray-Sackey strode forward into the area and calmly placed the ball past Payne. The referee awarded the goal despite the protests from the visitors. 1-0 with 28 minutes played.
Thame almost immediately doubled their lead when Payne’s punch at a corner was poor and Bonwick prodded the ball towards the goal, but Gorski for the second time in the match cleared off the line. Price then sent a long-ranged left-footed shot at Payne, and the keeper saved at the second attempt.
There didn’t seem to be any danger as Thame tried to build from the back until Richardson played a terrible back pass to no-one in particular. Fetherstone nipped in to get to the loose ball before Thame keeper George Collingwood and put the ball into the empty. 1-1 with 35 minutes on the clock.
Thame appeared to be stunned by the equaliser and several sloppy passes went astray. Loik Helmer and Collingwood then both left a ball into the Thame area to each other, and Fetherstone again pounced onto more slack defending but his left-footed effort smacked against the crossbar and away to safety. It was a lucky escape for the home side.
The wind was now howling and the rain became even heavier, so Fatbear’s notepad was getting increasingly wet, as was Fatbear !
Thame regained their composure and Bonwick shot from 20 yards, but straight at the keeper. A corner for Thame was headed wide by Brownsword, and with half-time approaching Lewis Cross chipped a 30-yard free-kick onto the top of the crossbar and over.
The final action of the first half, saw a Shipston corner headed away by Brownsword, and when possession was recycled, the cross back into the Thame area was headed a couple of feet wide by Fetherstone.
With the half-time whistle the hardy handful of spectators retreated to bar to shelter from the rain and dry out a little. Some took the opportunity for a quick pint !
Thame must have been given a dressing down in the changing room during the interval as they came out for the second half with intent. Bray-Sackey made a dancing run into the Shipston area but Rogers made an excellent tackle to end the danger.
The Shipston defenders appeared to back off as Helmer ran from half-way towards the edge of the visitors’ area and he sent a low left-footed shot into the far bottom corner with Payne motionless. 2-1 after 47 minutes.
Thame were now dominant as Toms made yards towards the Shipston area and passed sideways, but Bonwick, stretching, could only shoot over from the edge of the area.
Shipston full-back Drew made a good run down the left-hand touchline from inside his area to the edge of the Thame penalty box but Brownsword halted the danger by taking the ball away from the Shipston player.
Russell then had two opportunities to spread the ball wide to Cowling in space on the right-hand touchline, but on both occasions he opted to turn the other way to run into trouble and lose possession. His team-mate were not impressed to say the least !
With 60 minutes played Fatbear was close to turning into a drowned rat, and with the notepad now resembling papier-mache the towel was thrown in and he called it a day. This was a shame as it had been an enjoyable game to watch, but the foul weather prevailed.
In the final 30 minutes Thame added a third goal and went onto win 3-1. This result took Thame up to 4th place in the table, whilst Shipston remained in 11th place.
Thame United Reserves : Collingwood – Cowling, Helmer, Brownsword, Richardson – Russell, Price, Cross, Bray-Sackey, Sisi ( G Toms ) - Bonwick
Shipston Excelsior : Payne – Drew, Rogers, Gorski, Marston – Harris, Walker, Godson, Sutton, M Toms - Fetherstone
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