There was just no stopping Thame United on Saturday as they burst through to the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup courtesy of a commanding 5-0 victory over fellow Pitching In Southern League Division One Central outfit, Beaconsfield Town.
The resounding victory has earned them a home tie against Isthmian League side, Wingate & Finchley in the next round.
“It was a really good result for us off the back of a disappointing loss in midweek,” admitted Curtis Brown who weighed in with two late goals following earlier strikes by Harry Alexander, Mark Riddick and Reece Cameron. “I feel as if the team is really starting to click and that showed on Saturday with some good build-ups and a lot of chances created.
“Also, defensively we were solid, which always helps the forward players.
“Personally, I was delighted with my performance and with two FA Cup goals, I certainly can’t complain!
“We have another home draw in the next round, which suits us well. That’s three home draws in a row now have previously beaten Aylesbury United 3-0. And it gives us a real advantage going into the next round.
“There’s confidence amongst the group that we can push on even further in the FA Cup. Any Cup run is enjoyable but with it being the FA Cup, it just makes it that bit more special.
“Looking at our start to the season generally, it has been as expected. With a new squad it can always be hard to gel and find form early on, but after some great performances in pre-season, the team has come together really well and I can only see us improving week after week.
“For me personally, it’s been an okay start to the season; I know there’s a lot more to come from myself and I hope that the two goals on Saturday can be the catalyst.
“The League this year is really competitive with a lot of great teams fighting for points every week. Just like every season, there will be a lot of ups and downs but I expect us to do well and be in amongst some of the top teams.
“Every year I set myself a target of improving my goal tally from the previous season. But as a squad our target is to be right up there and hopefully reach the play-offs, which I believe we are more than capable of.”
The draw for the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round was made on Monday with a large number of our member clubs involved.
Bromsgrove Sporting head to Belper Town, there’s a home draw for Spalding United as they host Matlock Town, whilst AFC Telford United hit the road for Gainsborough Trinity. An away tie awaits Alvechurch as they go to Anstey Nomads as Barwell host Kidsgrove Athletic.
There’s a mouth-watering Black County derby between Dudley Town and Stourbridge, Harborough Town host another West Midlands club in Darlaston Town as Stamford go to Carlton Town. High-flying Stratford Town are at home to Worksop Town as Malvern Town welcome Cleethorpes Town who make the long trip down to Worcestershire.
Kettering Town are at home to Stafford Rangers, whilst Redditch United and Halesowen Town do battle as they did last week in the League. Larkhall Athletic go to Barnstaple Town as some of our member clubs go head-to-head with Tavistock hosting Winchester City, Merthyr Town doing battle with Cribbs, Hungerford Town welcoming Yate Town, Banbury United taking on Dorchester Town, Didcot Town travelling to Taunton Town, Westbury United playing host to AFC Totton and Swindon Supermarine locking horns with Poole Town.
The final set of games sees Bishops Cleeve entertain Laverstock & Ford, and the winner of Bideford’s replay with Wellington AFC hosting either Shaftesbury or Melksham Town. Enfield host Brentwood Town, as Leverstock Green or Heybridge Swifts go to either Bury Town or Felixstowe. Bracknell Town host South Park (Reigate) and Walton & Hersham head to Hanworth Villa.
Hanwell Town go to Sheppey United, with Marlow heading to Dartford. Chertsey Town have home advantage against Raynes Park Vale, as do Havant & Waterlooville against Wallingford & Crowmarsh. Mousehole or Willand Rovers host either Exmouth Town or Brixham, Frome Town hit the road to Easington Sports and Plymouth Parkway entertain Baffins Milton Rovers.
It's home action for Gloucester City against Paulton Rovers, once of this parish, as Tiverton Town take on League rivals, Wimborne Town. Similarly, Basingstoke Town and Sholing go head-to-head as Gosport Borough welcome either Thatcham Town or Andover New Street.
It’s going to be another round of thrills and spills aplenty in the greatest domestic cup competition in football.
IMAGE: Thame United FC
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