St Albans City 1,Thame Utd 2 JEFFERSON Louis struck twice as Thame caused the shock of the FA Umbro Trophy first round by defeating last year's semi-finalists and Ryman League Premier League high-fliers St Albans.

The visitors, not overawed by the occasion, started the brighter of the two sides and were unfortunate not to go ahead in the eighth minute.

Dennis Gascoyne's corner was powered towards goal by Louis, but his effort was headed off the line by Sean James.

St Albans warmed to their task and went close in the 15th minute when keeper Ian Moores and Martin Brown hesitated, but Steve Clark was unable to capitalise.

However, the home side went ahead in the 24th minute when full back Dave Pratt was left unattended, and he lashed his effort wide of Ian Moores from the edge of the box.

Division 1 strugglers Thame responded well, containing the lively home forwards, and should have equalised on the stroke of half-time. Ricky Paul found Ronnie Joe who broke clear, but his shot from the edge of the box was fractionally high.

Thame came out for the second half with a new resolve and deservedly equalised in the 47th minute.

Another strong run by Joe committed two St Albans defenders and he slipped the ball to Louis, who powered a shot past Tony Roberts from 15 yards.

Thame now had their tails up and sensed an upset. The pace of Joe and Louis was a constant threat to the ponderous home back line.

Joe was again close in the 50th minute, but the alert Roberts saw the danger and raced from his line to clear.

United's tireless midfield never allowed the home side to settle, while the defence, in which Andy Williams was outstanding, always looked composed Thame's winner came in the 81st minute when Louis latched on to a through ball and despite a robust challenge from Roberts, rounded the keeper to fire into an unguarded net.

St Albans were stunned and responded by pushing forward looking to restore their pride. A string of corners were fruitless as the young Thame side stood firm.

With time running out, Moores saved a long-range effort from Lenny Piper.

Thame almost went further ahead in the dying minutes when Louis found James Saulsbury, but Roberts produced a good save.

Thame Utd: Moores, Joe, Gascoyne, Brown, Tregurtha, A Williams, Louis, Fontaine (Beauchamp 85), Perna (Saulsbury 80), G Williams. Subs not used: Stewart, Townsend.

Story date: Monday 11 October

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