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Match Report - Mens 3s vs Thame 3s

Match Report - Mens 3s vs Thame 3s

Marc Kempster10 Nov - 20:30
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Close fought match between Bicester & Thame sees Mens 3s go 6 points clear

This weekend saw the two remaining undefeated teams in the Cherwell 2 league faced up as Bicester 3s welcomed Thame 3s at Cooper School.

A full squad 3s team looked to get on the front foot but started a little slower than the Thame side, as the play was rather isolated to the midfield battle, Both teams unable to find the way through the defensive lines in the final third. Bicester tried to use the width to get round and behind while Thame tried the more direct route one.

10mins into the game a crash through ball by Thame saw their quick center forward beat the Bicester backline on the turn but despite efforts to get back to challenge the ball and the keeper coming off the line, a slight jab by the Thame striker saw it slide pass in the near post to take a lead.

Bicester responded well and got up the pitch and won a couple of short corners, trying a mixture of drag flicks and slips to get the shots off but unable to find the finish.

With 17 minutes gone there was a swing in the game, this saw a pass cut out to give Bicester the opportunity to get forward and Andrew was able to get a driving finish towards goal and find the netting to bring it level.

This opened the game for Bicester and got them going forward regularly, putting the pressure on defenders to turn the ball over and Issac was able to find the shot to slot in the second. The attacks were relentless and could have made more of their opportunities to further extend their lead and may be made to rue those chances.

Just at the death of the half, a wild moment happened as the ball sent into the D to shouts of 'leave it's from the Defenders, to their surprise as Issac sprung up pass the left back to tip the ball in at the post to give Bicester a 3-1 lead at the break.

As expected, Thame changed shape, shoring up their midfield and pushing forward their own wingers looking more like a front 3. Bicester kept their shape but expected the change.

The start of the second half was not so eventful with the battle to win the midfield game starting anew, Bicester again trying to get down the wide channels, Thame also trying to get more down their wider options.

Thame were definitely more on the front foot than they ended the first half, creating more opportunities but some key tackles stopping the final ball. At the other end of the pitch, Bicester were just not able to get a clean connection on their shots on goal, in the many opportunies that found there way into the D.

A heavy tackle from behind saw Thame win a short corner, the ball slipped to their right side and fluffed shot on goal saw a moment of comedy slow motion, as all the Bicester players were expecting one another to clear the ball and allowed it to bobble through into goal making it 3-2 and the game was now fully open.

Moments later Thame took a smart sideline just outside the 23, a crash ball into the D as the Center Midfield arrived at full speed caught everyone napping and was able to get a deflection towards goal only to be saved by the metal upright.

Bicester then had an opportunity to counter and possibly kill off the game as Issac was able to turn the defence and get through on goal, the keeper quick off their line saw Issac cut back the ball around the outstretched keeper and push the ball towards goal, just to see it crash off the outside boarding.

The last 15 minutes were ropey for Bicester, looking to hold on saw the game get a bit messy, with some sloppiness and wayward passing across the pitch. Thame thought they had brought the game level through a short corner, with a powerful hit sent into the defenders stick and then netting was ruled high by both umpires.

In the dying moments of the game, with a series of long corners to thame, saw a pause in the game as some backchat to the umpire saw a green card given to the Thame forward, which was upgraded to a yellow for response. Unable to find the equalizer the full time whistle came as Bicester held on to the close lead, in a game that was ultimately a game of two halves that could have seen either team go home with the points.

The result sees the Mens 3s remain undefeated after the first 6 games of the season and riding high at the top of their table as results went their way elsewhere in the afternoon to be 6 points clear. With the season still far from over and a long way still to go, Bicester 3s will reset to work on the areas they need and wouldn't take it for granted.

Man of the Match: Cameron Findlay

Match Photos available in Media Area Provided by Jade

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