THAME'S assistant manager Brett Chowns said their 1-1 draw with Chesham was the best pre-season game he's seen.

The Windmill Roaders put their current crisis to the back of their minds by outplaying their higher-league opponents in the first half, only for Chesham to bounce back in the second half.

And Chowns reckons that was the perfect start to their pre-season planning.

He said: "I was very impressed. I've been here for 18 years and that's the best pre-season friendly I've seen.

"Both sides played football, the new lads came in and played well together. It was a good work-out."

Thame have recovered since the bailiffs came round over an unpaid VAT bill but they were still without a tannoy system.

But they began the game well and could have been 1-0 up in the second minute when Alex Stewart was played through. However, the youngster, who missed most of last season through injury, hit the ball well wide when trying to chip Chesham's new keeper Darren Bonfield, who was playing the game with his fingers strapped up.

Chesham, who were missing Steve Sinclair, John Lawford, Paul Aldridge and Stuart Hole, nearly scored when Nathan Bowden-Hasse powered a header over.

But it was Thame who were creating more chances, with Nik Stewart hitting wide when played in.

The Windmill Roaders took the lead on 31 minutes when Mark C Jones' free kick was converted by the unmarked Colin Simpson on the far post.

They then lost Gavin Lane with a sprained wrist and they nearly lost their lead when good work by George Mapes got him to the by-line. He crossed to Gary Sippetts who created space for a shot but saw his effort rebound off the post to safety.

Thame nearly doubled the lead just before the break when Bonfield dropped a cross. Stewart rounded the keeper but his pass into the six-yard area eluded everyone and went for a goal kick.

Both teams rang the changes after the break, with Chesham substitute Ben Smith proving a real handful.

At the other end, Darren Moore nearly doubled the lead but Bonfield saved well.

Smith was denied by some good defending but grabbed the equaliser on 78 minutes with a good volley.

Chesham nearly grabbed a winner in injury-time when a corner was deflected goalwards by a Thame defender, only for Steve Smith to pull off a fine double save.

Chesham manager Steve Bateman said: "By the end of the game, we showed what we're about.

"Thame were hanging on a little bit at the end but it's not about results it's about building for the start on August 13."