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Wallingford took a massive step towards Hellenic Premier Division safety with a crucial win over fellow relegation strugglers Thame on Easter Monday.
Andrew Styles' 75th minute volley gave the home side their first win in 9 games and opened up a ten point gap between the sides. Thame had the majority of the possesion early on and Garry Clarke held on well to a few early long range shots. A few half-chances also fell to Nathan Jack who was seemed to slice all of them into the trees behind the Wallingford goal. It was Wallingford who had the best chances of the first half. With 20 minutes gone Ian Fenn released Paul Massaquoi down the left, who held off a defender before cutting the ball back across the area where Aaron Baker arrived in the middle but smashed a good chance over the bar. Shortly before half-time Wallingford should have taken the lead. Danny Leggett seemed to be tripped in the area but the referee appeared to wave play on, only for Michael Fellows' shot to be blocked and cleared to safety. From the throw in, Thame Keeper Milan Barisic made a hash of catching the ball and it dropped to Aaron Baker 5 yards out with only a defender on the line, but he somehow volleyed the ball over the bar. Thame continued to press in the second half and enjoyed the better of the possesion again, but it was Wallingford who seemed to look more likely to score - Abdouli Taha replaced the injured Leggett and he almost scored with his first touch, getting on the end of a deep Ross Tyler Free-kick, but glancing his header just over. Thame felt they had taken the lead with 20 minutes to go. Nathan Jack found the back of the net but the referee felt Tyler had been fouled in the build-up. Minutes later Darren Moore got clear on the left and squared for Jack, who hit the crossbar with a well hit volley. On 75 minutes Wallingford took the lead. Paul Massaquoi battled for the ball on the left, managing to keep the ball in play and flicking the ball back for Andrew Styles, who hit an unstoppable left-foot volley which crashed off the underside off the crossbar and over the line. Thame stepped up the pressure after that and Dave Hocking volleyed against the crossbar from a free-kick. Touray nearly added a second late on after Baker put him clean through but he shot wide. However, Wallingford held on for a vital three points to put Thame deep in relegation trouble. Almondsbury Town will likely provide an even tougher challenge when they visit the Hithercroft on Saturday 14th. AFC Wallingford: Clark, Ingram, Massaquoi, Fenn, Strudwick, Fellows (Z Taha 70), Tyler, Styles, Baker, Leggett (A.Taha 60), P Touray. Subs not used F Touray |
