Report by Jonathan Coles
Both Thames teams earned points on the road over the weekend. Thames Men were held to a 1-1 draw with Waikato Unicol Unicorns, while the Women’s title charge intensified with a hard-fought 2-2 result against fellow title contenders Melville Epics.
Following back-to-back postponements, Thames Men were eager to return to action, travelling to Jansen Park to face Waikato Unicol Unicorns. The first half started slowly, with both teams struggling to gain a foothold.
The first sight of goal eventually came from Michael Kim, who drifted behind the defence, but his powerful shot was straight at the keeper. Thames goalkeeper Mathew Burchell then made a great save to keep the score level, tipping a Josh Bell shot onto the bar before smothering the rebound.
Thames created several chances, but the opening goal continued to elude. Ben Taylor, returning from injury, flicked a header to Kim, who lifted the ball over the keeper and just wide of the post. Taylor then won possession with a strong tackle before sliding the ball to Michael Sogo, but his shot was tame and failed to trouble the goal.Unicol ended the half stronger, with Nikhail Naidoon darting into the box and firing a left-footed shot just wide.
The second half saw an improved performance from Thames, who played with more composure a better passing tempo. Yusuke Koizumi threaded a beautiful through ball to Troy Costello, who burst behind the defence but poked his shot wide. Koizumi then sent a precise pass to Caleb Tehoaki, who returned the ball to Koizumi, whose curling shot was brilliantly saved by Unicol keeper Samuel Hodgson.
The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Tehoaki found Sogo on the right. The winger crossed to Matt Baines, who controlled and slipped the ball under the keeper for a 1-0 lead, a rare but vital goal from the meandering left-back. Unicol struck back almost immediately, as Naidoon’s searching pass found Aidan Timbers, who sidefooted home for 1-1 – capitalising on a lapse of concentration from Thames.
A promising move saw Xavier Brown whip a cross for Koizumi, who teed up Baines, but the finish was wild. Moments later, Keegan Applerly launched a long ball forward that Costello expertly controlled before teeing Brown, whose shot sailed over the bar.
Despite strong pressure in the closing minutes, Unicol held on for a gritty 1-1 draw.
Thames FC Women travelled to Hamilton on Sunday to take on fellow title contenders Melville Epics, with both sides vying for the championship. After a tough battle featuring some brilliant defending, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw.
Thames had to come from behind twice, but a spirited performance and two well-taken goals from Ariel McNab, the second a brilliant strike from the edge of the box, earned a valuable point. Megan Jamieson delivered a standout performance, earning Player of the Match honors.
A tense end to the season looms, with Thames currently second with three games to play, one point behind leaders Northern United, whom they face on the final day.
