U's Thamed

United's pre-season build-up continued to stutter this evening as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a Thame side that was keener to attack than their Ryman League colleagues Oxford City. The home side actually took the lead, Mark Jones (a different one) slotting the ball past goalie Ian McCaldon in the 31st minute following mistakes by triallist Samuel Okikiolu, of Crystal Palace and Sam Ricketts in defence.

Jefferson Louis, on as a half-time substitute for Paul Moody, equalised a few minutes into the second half against his old club to restore parity, but United created precious few chances and it took a good save by McCaldon in the final minute to ensure that Oxford weren't beaten.

United started with the players who didn't make the starting line-up on Saturday, except Scott Guyett who once again was overlooked, and Lee Steele who is still not considered fit enough to take part. Triallist Adam Locke again appeared in central midfield, alongside Dean Whitehead, and gave an impressive performance. Okikiolu also looked commanding in the air and strong in the tackle, but the other triallist centre back in the back three, Middlesbrough's Christian Hanson, failed to make his mark.

Up front Moody and Manny didn't really gel, whilst wing backs Chris Hackett and Sam Stockley weren't able to create many chances. Norman Sylla got a brief run out and showed a good turn of pace, as did Tom Winter. Rob Lovegrove also featured in defence, as did Dwight Ciampoli. United weren't helped by the state of the pitch, which looked like it hadn't seen a lawnmower all Summer, but essentially the Us lacked the guile to overcome a committed defensive performance from the home side.

On the bench for both this game and the match at Court Place Farm was David Oldfield, formerly of Leicester and Peterborough. He also trained with United last week. He was shouting and encouraging the players. Could he be Atkins new assistant? He was offered a player/coach role at Posh but turned it down.

Meanwhile former United captain Les Robinson has had his contract bought out by Mansfield, and another old boy, Nicky Banger, could be on his way to Woking.

Chelsea – bring 'em on

United have a hastily arranged friendly against Chelsea at the KasStad added to their pre-season itinerary. The game has come about because Chelsea's pre-season tour to China has had to be cancelled and a representative of the club, who happens to know Ian Atkins, was watching the under-17 internationals yesterday and asked Atkins about the possibility of a game. Atkins agreed, more due to the revenue that the game is likely to attract than because it particularly helps the pre-season build-up.

In fact the game on Wednesday 24th July, for which normal match prices will apply, has been shoe-horned between the away friendlies at Moor Green and Nuneaton Borough, for which it is likely that reserve players will feature. Chelsea have promised to bring their full first team squad to the game, which includes such luminaries as Gianfranco Zola, Marcel Desailly and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.