Missed chances cost the blues

Hellenic Supplementary Challenge Cup

Penn & Tylers Green FC 0 – 1 Thame United

It was not to be. After a second pairing with a Premier Division side in two Saturdays Penn & Tylers Green FC did not have the luck they deserved and narrowly lost 0-1 against Thame United in a relatively even contest. The first bit of bad news came after the warm up with James Louison aggravating a groin injury ruling him out of this tie. Ben Platt took his place in the starting lineup and did very well.

On a cloudy and windy afternoon at French School Meadows, in front of 44 spectators Penn & Tylers Green FC started well and should have taken the lead with one of the early chances falling their way. In the 5th minute Chris Hurst hit a bar with a tremendous direct free kick from about 25 yards, with the keeper well beaten. It was a superb curler worthy of a goal. One could just sense that this was not going to be our day.

Only four minutes later Ricci Putnam was put through on the left and lobbed the Thame United keeper from about seven yards only to see the ball passing the cross bar on the wrong side from Penn & Tylers Green FC’s point of view.

Thame United had good possession in the middle of the park but overall did not create that much with John Harding in goal having a relatively quiet afternoon.

In 22nd minute Aiden Taylor put one of his trade mark crosses into the box from a free kick on the right wing only for Danny Robertson putting the ball over the bar from close range. If only Penn & Tylers Green FC could convert their chances into goals.

The next blow came in 37th minute when Danny Robertson pulled up when Penn & Tylers Green FC was on the attack with a suspected hamstring injury. He was replaced by Shaun Walsh for his First Team debut after impressing for the Reserves. Shaun had a very good debut.

With most of the action being battled out in midfield with Jack Dean and Andy Savage in the thick of the action both teams went into the dressing rooms at half time at 0-0. It was Andy Savage’s first game back after suspension. He had a very good game with a mature and responsible performance.

The second half started the way the first half finished; battles in mid field with the odd attacks but, as stated before, both keepers had relatively quite afternoons. In 53rd minute Michael Benning, who had another good game went down the right wing putting an excellent cross into the box, only for the ball to elude everyone.

In 55th minute Thame United’s centre forward darted down the right wing only to see his shot ending up in the site netting.

Just one minute later Thame United took the lead with a bizarre goal. The cross went between John Harding and Andrew Savage and somehow the ball hit the underside of the cross bar and the inside of the upright at the same time. On the way down the ball was slightly deflected and hit the head of Thame United’s number seven Stuart Barr, who was lying on the floor. The ball went over the line. I think this is the flukiest goal he will ever score from about two inches out. Did he actually know what was happening? Unfortunately it does not matter; a goal is a goal.

In 57th minute Penn & Tylers Green FC’s Manager, Matt Miller made an immediate change bringing on Luke Cohen for his First Team debut after impressing in the Reserves and Youth Team. Again, Luke had an excellent debut.

In 71st minute Thame United was awarded a free kick in a dangerous position about 20 yards from goal. Luckily the wall did a good job. With 25 minutes to go the gaffer came on for Ricci Putnam and Gay Crick put him into straight into action with an excellent pass down the wing.

The game ended without either side creating any more goal opportunities.

As stated above, Penn & Tylers Green FC could have got something out of this game against a Premier Division side and with some players coming through the Reserves there were lots of positives, despite the narrow loss. Let’s hope James Louison, Danny Robertson and Kieran Latta will be fit again soon for selection, as the run in April is going to be tough with the number of games still to be played.

Good luck to Thame United in the next round. As always, they have been tough but honest opponents.

Man of the Match: Andy Savage

Match Report by Andreas Latta