FOOTBALL: Howkins spot-on in Ardley victory (From Bicester Advertiser)

FOOTBALL: Howkins spot-on in Ardley victory

10:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport

Steve Howkins scored a penalty winner as Ardley United maintained their pursuit of Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Marlow with a 2-1 victory at ten-man Thame United on Saturday.

In a game involving two penalties and a red card, Ardley were rocked when Thame went ahead on eight minutes.

Thame’s Dan West won the ball in midfield before firing in a long-range speculative shot which took a wicked bobble before flying over the despairing dive of Joe White in the Ardley goal.

Thame had a chance to double their lead from the penalty spot when defender Ben Tho-mas was penalised for a foul. Mitchell Meredith sent White the wrong way, but hit the opposite post before the ball rolled out of play.

Ardley started to come more into the contest and three minutes after the break they were level.

A cross from Joe Eyre was helped to the far post by Nick Thorne, where the unmarked Troy Bryan poked home.

It was now all Ardley with Thame’s defence working overtime to contain them. The winning goal came on 73 minutes when Thorne broke from his own half and beat three players, only to be brought down by Phil Pykett who was sent off as a result. Howkins then put away the penalty with ease past Thame keeper Lee Farrow.

The visitors then held on for victory without too much difficulty.

On Saturday, Ardley host Holyport at Oxford Road.