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Saturday 11 October 2003 - Windmill Stadium - kick off 3.00pm FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round 
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| half-time: 0-1 | result: L0-3 | attendance: 342 |
| team: | Bryant, Coupe (c), Jenkins, Hendy, Shore, Rollo, Bennett, Counsell (Plummer 62), Cleverley, Tweddle (Salter 77), Wiliams (Jeffries 45). subs not used: Howarth, Shuttlewood. |
| man of the match: | Steve Tweddle |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Jenkins (90) |
| officials: | C Hayes, G Thorley, M Phillips |
| league position: n/a | form: LWLLWL | next match: Grantham (A) |
If City fans thought it couldn’t get any worse than the 7-0 embarrassment against Worcester City three weeks ago, well, they probably were right, but a 3-0 FA Cup defeat against lower league opposition comes pretty damn close. It wasn’t just the scoreline that was so disheartening, it was the gutless performance that saw Ryman League Division 1 North side Thame United out-play and out-fight City from the first whistle to the last. The reaction of a large proportion of the travelling City fans at the final whistle, directing their anger at manager Alan Pridham, was thoroughly understandable after they were made to suffer yet another shambolic display.
Again injuries took their toll on City’s starting line-up, captain Mike Trought and Alfie Carter absent, but on the plus side Steve Tweddle started after his return to action against Paulton Rovers earlier in the week. Andy Williams also returned to the action only to last just 45 inconspicuous minutes before being replaced by Josh Jeffries. It took just seven minutes for the home side to show the greater threat they were to possess all afternoon - Merritt’s shot from just outside the box flying inches wide via a deflection off Hendy. Steve Jenkins then denied Perna with a great last ditch tackle and Gardner forced a fingertip save from Mark Bryant from 20-yards out. Mitchell blasted a shot high over the bar from the resultant corner. Any late arrivals would have thought the side in red was from the higher league and on 26 minutes they deservedly took the lead. Stewart flicked on Jones’ corner and Mitchell was allowed to head home at the back post. City did respond positively to going behind but what little attack threat they posed was easily snuffed out by the Thame defence. Dan Cleverley’s dipping 31st minute shot was pushed away to safety by Smith and Hendy headed a Drew Shore corner over. A Frankie Bennett run was halted by Avery’s solid challenge, the penalty appeals were optimistic at best.
If City had hoped they would carry this improved performance into the second half they were to be found wanting again with just two minute gone. Perna capitalised on Matt Coupe’s error to unselfishly square for Mitchell. A goal looked certain only for Jenkins to come to the rescue with a desperate goalline block. The 54th minute saw City come within inches of an equaliser. Substitute Jeffries leapt to meet a Shore cross only to see his header bounce against the bar. Within six minutes of this escape Thame had scored twice and the tie was effectively over. The first came from a simple ball out of defence. It flew over Hendy and Keen ran clear to lift a perfect lob over the stranded Bryant. Six minutes later Mitchell sent in a low cross that Keen converted at the far post. Jenkins and substitute Dwayne Plummer wasted clear openings to at least grab a consolation goal for City, as did Mark Salter in the final minute, although this would have made little difference on a afternoon that will live long in the memory but for all the wrong reasons.