Woodcote fell victim to two sucker punches as they lost to a combative Thame side who leap-frogged over them into second place as a result. The visitors dominated possession for most of the match and had countless chances including a twice-taken penalty, but that they failed to score was down to a failure to hit the target with easy chances, some resolute defending and a string of outstanding saves from the Thame keeper.
In the first half, Woodcote keeper Mark Pearson was almost a spectator as Woodcote attacked consistently. Thame defended in numbers, so that the only real chances of the half saw Sam Green’s header brilliantly saved, Toby Nowell’s tame shot saved after he had been put clear by an excellent Mike Mattimore pass and Ofari Boateng’s speculative shot from 35 yards, with the keeper off his line, narrowly missing the target. On 38 minutes a foul, awarded to Thame wide on the left, saw the resultant kick converted at the near post for 1-0.
Right at the start of the second-half Joe Webber was through with the best chance of the match but failed to hit the target, then Jake Dillon had a shot well-saved. In the 75th minute, as Woodcote pressed forward for the equaliser they were caught on the break and a forward latched onto a through ball to beat the advancing Pearson to make it 2-0. Three minutes later Woodcote were awarded a penalty for handball, Ofari Boateng stepped-up to take it, but was thwarted by a brilliant save, which the referee ordered to be re-taken as the keeper had moved early. Boateng’s second effort produced an even better save.
In the dying minutes, two more outstanding saves robbed first, James Worsfold and then Ryan Corbett as Thame held-on to secure the win.
On a day when leaders, Watlington, also lost, the position at the top of the table sees Watlington with 24 points from 10 games, Thame with 21 from 9 and Woodcote with 18 from 8.
