Sports’ first team are into the next round of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup after a scrappy encounter against Division One East side Thame Rangers. Easington were not at their best but ultimately got the job done. Nick Thorne grabbed a brace whilst Cowlishaw and Smith were also on the scoresheet.

After the heavy rain of the last week the Addison Road pitch was playable but very soft underfoot which contributed to the slow start to the game. Although the home side were neat and tidy in possession, at times they lacked the quality of last week in the final third and so did not stretch the visitors’ defence.

Easington eventually took the lead mid way through the first half with virtually their first clear sight of goal. Joey Cowlishaw was played in down the right hand side and he cut the ball back for Nick Thorne to calmly side foot home giving the keeper no chance.
The game remained a tight affair and the visitors were soon back on level terms. Some indecision defending a ball over the top lead to a corner for Thame and the resultant kick was powerfully headed home at the far post to make it 1-1.

Easington stepped things up again and in the 39th minute they were back ahead. This time Joey Cowlishshaw was set up by Jack Dunmmall and the young midfielder wrong footed the keeper to convert to make it 2-1 to Sports at half time.

The pattern of play in the second half was very similar to the first. Thame defended the edge of the box well and looked to counter attack with long balls over the top whilst Sports looked to get their pacey attack into the game and in down the flanks. Sports eventually managed to get in via a neat one-two on the edge of the box and Nick Thorne outpaced the defence before taken his shot early to beat the keeper at the near post. Easington then extended their lead due to the alertness of Tom Smith. Nick Thorne again broke into the box but was brought down for a penalty. Ryan Markham had his spot kick saved by Faulconbridge but Smith reacted quickest to tap home the rebound as the keeper was just getting back onto his feet.

To their credit, the visitors continued to search for goals to get back into the game and they did get another before the end finished at the far post after Sports failed to deal with a ball into the box.

The game ended in a 4-2 victor for Sports which means they are now unbeaten in four matches. Sports take on Long Crendon playing at Oxford City on Tuesday and then face the league leaders Westfields away from home next Saturday.