After working wonders to get Kidlington out of the relegation zone pre-christmas, Julian McCalmon's side have had an horrific run of results over the festive period which has seen The Greens take no points from their four matches.

It wasn't as if the team played particularly badly, they didn't, but where it counts in front of goal they were found seriously wanting!

It didn't help that all four of what most people may consider our usual defenders were unavailable, Tommy Castle, Tommy Franklin & Jack Bernisconi are injured and Jack Quainton was out of the country. Central striker Mark Janes was unavailable because of the birth of his new baby and how we miss his input and Declan Benjamin and Elliott Osborn-Ricketts are clearly not properly fit, both are struggling with injuries, which obviously affects the teams performance.

As for the match yesterday, well Thame took the game to Kidlington in the early stages and went ahead in only the 3rd minute. A throw in saw the ball then played tamely into the Kidlington area, inexplicably everyone left it to each other and the ball passed through a crowded 6 yard box and found a totally unmarked Jamie Essex at the far post and he gratefully nodded it home for 1 - 0.

After the goal the game went through a phase of sloppiness where it became apparent that neither side could make any sustained attacks as the ball was constantly lost by both sides.

I must say that the pitch at Yarnton Road has taken a bit of a battering and this wasn't helping anyone trying to play the ball around accurately.

There was a glimmer of hope for The Greens in the 34th minute when Anaclet Odhiambo broke free from his marker and stormed toward goal, the little striker tried a chip from just inside the box but visiting keeper Craig Hill got a good hand to it and palmed it over the bar.

That was as good as it got for Kidlington as generally Thame had bossed this 1st period.

At half time McCalmon made a couple of changes. Elliott Osborn-Ricketts scummed to his injury and was replaced by another of the walking wounded Declan Benjamin, whilst youngster Harry Williams came on for Nick Thorne.

This certainly had a positive affect as in this half Kidlington came out on the front foot and stayed on it throughout.

The visitors seemed happy with their lead and content to sit back and only attack on the break in this second half where Kidlington were having plenty of possession but were rarely able to cause problems for a well marshaled Thame defence.

In the 63rd minute a great strike from Declan Benjamin looked goal bound as he let fly from 20 yards, however the ball hit the bar and rebounded away to safety.

On 65 minutes Joey Cowlishaw came on to replace Brad Singh and once again these fresh legs gave imputes to Kidlington's attacking play.

However try as they might, without a hit man or someone of presence to find in the opponents area Kidlington couldn't find an equalizing goal and it finished 1 - 0.

Team - Warrell, Stanbridge, Willoughby, Organ, Tooke, Gabbidon, Thorne (Williams45), Osborn-Ricketts (Benjamin 45), Odhiambo, Singh (Cowlishaw 63), Martin.
All subs used.
Attn - 87