Didcot 2-0 Thame Utd

Didcot Town returned to winning ways with a hard fought but ultimately deserved victory over high flying Thame Utd at the Loop Meadow Stadium.

Didcot made 1 change from the side that started at St Neots with George Nash returning to the starting lineup in place of Seth Humphries who dropped to the bench.

Despite Thame's lofty position it was the Railwaymen who started the brighter as George Reid collected the ball and attacked the Thame back line creating a couple of early corners. From one of those it was Reid's delivery to the back post which found Luke Carnell who in turn headed back across goal to Cameron McNeill but the Didcot defender couldn't get enough on his attempted finish and Thame keeper Craig Hill was able to smother.

A huge factor in Saturday's contest was a seriously strong cross wind that at times played havoc with the game, Didcot benefited from it massively however when Hill decided to roll the ball in front of him to kick the ball down field, you could see the ball gaining pace on the floor as Hill raced up to it to kick it clear, he miss kicked it slipping in the process with the ball going to Jack Dark who from just inside the Thame half looked up and saw his opportunity. He struck sweetly towards goal with the wind carrying it helpfully towards goal and with Hill stranded the ball sailed into the net giving Didcot a crucial lead.

It wasn't all good news however as moments before this George Reid was down with an injury and he wasn't able to continue being replaced by Seth Humphries.

If there was any disappointment from Humphries in not starting it didn't show as he was immediately into the action winning tackles and making a couple of early eye catching runs. On 43 minutes it got better for Didcot, Tom Stanley who was having another good game for Didcot in attack collected a ball from Nash and ran at the Thame backline, he laid the ball into the path of Humphries who with work to do as the ball ran away from goal drilled a shot low and hard that Hill got a piece of but not enough to keep it out and Didcot went into the break 2 up for the first time at home all season.

The second half was always going to be a different affair for the Railwaymen as Thame had the strong wind at their backs and now with nothing to lose seemingly it was all about how Didcot could protect their lead. Thame huffed and puffed putting balls into the box but all they found were Carnell and in particular Joe Green in the way. The 2 Didcot central defenders seemingly won everything and were being supported by their two full backs equally as well.

The closest Thame came to a goal was a Greg Hackett shot from distance that was well held by Leigh Bedwell while the Didcot keeper also made a decent low save late on to keep the deserved clean sheet intact.

It was a standout performance from Didcot who had earned their goals in the first half and had defended as a team superbly in the 2nd against a team challenging for the playoffs. It gives Didcot renewed confidence as they travel to Daventry Town next Saturday in their next league encounter.