Cinderford 2, Thame Utd 1: An unfortunate deflected goal deep into injury time sent Thame slipping to defeat in their opening Southern League Divsion 1 West game at Cinderford on Saturday.

Thame keeper Paul Searl appeared to have Jacob Guy's shot well covered, but the ball diverted off the boot of player-manager Tony Joyce into the top corner of the net.

It was the last thing Thame needed following their troubled pre-season period, when they nearly went out of exisitence after losing their ground.

But club secretary Fred Saulsbury was philosophical. "We may have lost, but we're just pleased to be playing in the league," he said.

It was a spirited performance by Thame, who were fielding many of last season's reserve team players plus a couple of new signings - and a draw would have been a fair result.

The visitors took the lead after only five minutes with a well-taken goal by Darren Moore, and held on without undue alarm until half-time.

The match turned in the 74th minute, when Thame centre half Dave Hocking was sent off for a professional foul, which denied Cinderford a clear scoring chance.

The home side equalised in the 80th minute through Greg Lewis as ten-man Thame tried to hang on.

It looked as though they had secured a point before the cruel twist of fate which gave Cinderford the points.

Thame will be hoping for better luck tomorrow night when they entertain Ashford Town at Aylesbury United.

Ayylesbury came to Thame's rescue last week, with a ground-sharing agreement, which was approved by the league.

Thame Utd: Searl, Rhodes, Joyce, Lane, Hocking, Connelly, Kitson, Groves, Franklin, Simpson (Goffe 80), Moore. Subs not used: Bradley, Da Silva.