White takes heart despite being Thamed

Published 19 Mar 2010 16:00 0 Comments

NEIL White believes his Finchampstead side can take some heart from their efforts in the 3-0 reverse at Hellenic One (East) leaders Thame United.

The Finch boss had accused his side of underestimating their opposition when they suffered a surprise home defeat to second-bottom Newbury 10 days ago.

And although Saturday's loss made it six games without a win, White was much more impressed with his under-strength side's efforts.

Finch made the trip to Oxfordshire without half a dozen first team regulars - Sam Wyatt, Bobby Hogg, Dean Thomas, Scott Bursill, Russell Carter and Steve Selby.

But despite that the visitors were well in touch for the majority of the clash before some sloppy defending at set-pieces saw the league leaders ease away in the second half.

And White said: "To be honest, I thought the scoreline flattered them a bit.

"We had six players out, so we only travelled with 13 and it meant we had a totally different side out to normal.

"But we battled well, kept it to 1-0 at half-time, and had three great chances to get back into the game.

"But we let in a couple of poor goals from set-pieces, which was disappointing because they didn't create an awful lot.

"But I said to the players after the game that I was pleased they had showed the heart for the battle and that's what we need to take on now."

Finch's stretched resources on Saturday meant that Ross Knight and Bob Yorke-Goldney both returned to action after long lay-offs, while youngster Andre Kelly took his place on the bench for the first time.

Thame moved in front on 20 minutes when Nik Rhodes reacted quickest to a half-cleared cross and hit a low, well-placed 25-yard shot through a crowd of players into the corner.

There were few clearcut chances for the remainder of the first 45 minutes, the best of them falling to Ben Knight, as Finch went in a goal down.

Thame played better after the break, but it took a degree of fortune to extend their lead in the 58th minute when Luke Ricketts' in-swinging corner from the right found its way straight into the net.

Finch responded well and created three good chances to halve the deficit, with Pat Selby's header that was directed straight at home keeper Lee Orkney the closest they came.

But the clash was settled on 79 minutes when Stuart Barr's left-wing corner was flicked home by the in-form Ricketts.

The three points kept Thame four points clear of Finch's local rivals Wokingham at the head of affairs.

But White said: "I still think Wokingham are the best side we have played this season.

"But Thame have found a way of playing at home on a tricky pitch and they do their job to perfection.

"It's not the best football, but they hit the channels and they have proved themselves to be very hard to beat."

Finch return to action on Saturday with a home clash with mid-table Chinnor.

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This article appeared in Villager 18 Mar 10

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