THAME United were relegated after suffering their heaviest defeat of the season 8-0 to Sutton Coldfield Town in Saturday's Division 1 West clash.

Relegation has been inevitable for most of the season, for the Oxfordshire side, who found themselves without a ground shortly before the campaign opened.

But their young team, who have struggled through gamely, were completely outclassed by a Sutton Coldfield side seeking a place in the play-offs.

Thame were missing several of their regular players, and also had a man sent off, but nevertheles delivered a gutsy performance.

Paul Searl, in the Thame goal, was in excellent form and was applauded off the pitch by the home fans.

Sutton scored five times in the first 23 minutes, with goals from Rowe (2), Grocutt, Dodd and Moran, whose effort looked off-side.

Thame recovered from the initial torrent, and on 40 minutes Luke Fisher fired a fierce shot which brought an excellent save from the Sutton keeper.

This was closely followed by a shot from Steve Groves, which went just wide.

Just before half time with Searl beaten, Rob Hopkins handled the ball on the goal-line and was sent off. The subsequent penalty went wide.

The second half saw Sutton pin ten-man Thame in their own half.

Searl kept the score at 5-0 with some superb goalkeeping, until the hour.

After a fine parry from the Thame keeper, the rebound was picked up by Markman, who netted Sutton's sixth goal.

Five minutes later, Searl was again faced with a one-on-one with Moran, only to be beaten again.

Thame came close to a consolation goal when Nik Rhodes forced the Sutton keeper to produce another excellent save from a free-kick, before Hughes got Sutton's final goal in the 66th minute.

Thame United: Searl, Way, Hopkins, N Rhodes, Hocking, Connolly, Fisher (Lane), Morgan, Bowland, Bradley, Groves.

Thame then lost 4-0 at home to Bromsgrove on Wednesday night.

Bromsgrove have reached the League Cup final knocking out three top Premier Division sides, including Banbury, along the way.

Paul Moore put them ahead on 23 minutes, Matt Johnson made it 2-0 on 56 and Exodus Geoghan got a third on 77, before Moore completed his brace six minutes from time.