Ardley United returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win at Thame United on Monday.
The home side were however punished for defensive errors by clinical finishing from Ardley striker Ryan Brooks, the Hellenic League’s top scorer. The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges but Thame settled and Ben Connolly was unlucky to see his shot go wide.
On 13 minutes, Ian Pykett was judged to have fouled Nick Thorne in the box and Ardley were awarded a penalty. Brooks scored from the spot sending Thame ‘keeper Mike Higgs the wrong way.
Thame countered and Luke Ricketts met a free kick with a powerful header that brought an outstanding save from Joe White. The home side equalised in the 36th minute when Ben Gray chased a high ball and knocked it pass the onrushing White into the path of Dan West, who finished well from close range.
Seven minutes after the restart Brookes chased a long punt from White and somehow managed to slide between Pykett and Higgs to claim Ardley’s second. Brooks claimed his hat trick a few minutes later after a defensive mix up gave him the opportunity to knock the ball in from 10 yards.
The home side fought back with Ricketts forcing another good save from White, while Grey and Adam Rhodes both went close. Thame’s misery was complete in injury time when Pykett misjudged a clearance and knocked the ball into his own net.
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