Stonehouse are riding the crest of a wave after a 4-1 win over Thame Utd Reserves lifted the Magpies to sixth in the Hellenic League Division One West table—just one place outside the play-off positions.
The first half began at a frantic pace, both sides looking to move the ball quickly. The better chances fell to the visitors, forcing two excellent saves from Leimar Dinnall. Thame eventually broke the deadlock with a neat passing move that released their striker, who finished low to make it 1–0.
Adam Coyle’s side struggled to find rhythm early on, but a rare moment of quality brought the equaliser. Tiger Harris drove forward on the counter and slipped Harley Hudd through on goal. Hudd beat his defender and fired across the keeper, in off the post, to level the score.
The second half needed an injection of intensity—and it delivered. New signing Connor Walters came on for his debut and immediately looked to make things happen on the ball. Stonehouse took control and appeared far more assured in possession.
The pressure finally told. A pinpoint corner from Josh Beadle found the head of Hudd, who nodded home his second of the afternoon to make it 2–1. Moments later, Finn Rees collected a loose clearance on the right, drifted past two defenders, and threaded a perfect through ball to Walters, who finished calmly for a debut goal. 3–1.
Thame offered little in the second half, though one counterattack caused brief concern. A well-weighted pass found their attacker on the edge of the box, and a mistimed slide tackle appeared certain to draw a foul—but the referee waved play on. The visiting bench protested, earning their manager a yellow card.
As the match moved into its closing stages, there was still time for a fourth. A Karl Nash corner caused chaos in the six-yard box, and with Thame unable to clear, the alert Finn Rees pounced to fire home and seal a 4–1 victory.
A game of two halves, but a hugely important second-half response from Stonehouse.
Stonehouse travel to high-flying Wantage on Saturday.
