THAME United hope to have a new manager in place by early next week.

The club spoke to three candidates after Saturday's 4-4 home draw with Hemel, met two more on Tuesday evening and plan to interview another four this weekend.

Secretary Fred Saulsbury said: "We've been surprised by the quality of the applicants and it will be quite difficult choosing. Hopefully by early next week we'll be in a position to make a firm decision, but if the standard continues like this we might need second interviews."

Whoever accepts the Thame hotseat will do so knowing the perilous position the club is in.

Saulsbury said: "We've been very frank and whoever we chose will know what he's coming into.

"Sunday is the half-way point in our season and even if we win against Bromsgrove we'll only have 14 points. "

The players proved they haven't given up the challenge with a spirited 4-4 draw against Hemel Hempstead Town last Sunday.

Robbie Eason and Darren Moore gave United a 2-0 lead and after Hemel stormed back Gavin Lane and Eason restored the two-goal cushion. Two late goals denied caretaker manager Richard Searle a priceless victory in first game in charge.