13 March 2018
Week 8 of the football season started with the U13 As and U12s playing the Dragon at Cox’s Field. After the mid-season snow break, the U12 As lost 0-2 whilst the U12 Bs lost 2-5. Continuing their good run of form the U13 As secured a 2-0 win.
Saturday saw the return of Haileybury to the Abingdon School fixture card after a four year absence. Starting at Cox’s Field the U14 As continued to play to feet, move the ball at pace and create numerous opportunities on their way to a 2-2 draw, whilst the U14 Bs won 4-0. The U14 C game finished 9-0 to the Abingdon side.
Over at Haileybury the U15 As were unlucky. Having hit the bar on a number of occasions and been denied by a number of fine saves from the Haileybury goalkeeper, 1-3 was the final score whilst the U15 Bs won 3-2. Aidan Cloney with 2 goals taking him to a total of 17 in six games and Thomas Owen with the third. The U15 Cs won 7-1.
Back at Tilsley Park, the groundwork in a tough week's training payed off as the U16 As won 2-1 with goals from Hector Chambers and Theo Zamani, whilst the U16 Bs won 5-2. A huge last minute penalty save from Jonah Marsh gave the U16 Cs a hard earned 2-1 win, Luke Brownsord with one of the goals.
Moving to the seniors, and the 5th XI put in an excellent display in securing a thrilling 4-4 draw. Desmond So with two goals, Harry Powell and Marc Tuazon with the others. The 4th XI also continued their good run of form with an excellent 7-0 win, Iwan Pavord with two of the goals with the others shared amongst players. Despite their best efforts the 3rd XI lost 5-0. Having gone behind early on the 2nd XI battled back to earn a terrific 2-1 victory. Charlie Goulder with the first, and then an emphatic Max Paton penalty gave the Abingdon side a 2-1 win.
Finally, having got to half time at 0-0 playing up the slope, the 1st XI Abingdon side ensured they were in the game, and a much improved and composed second half performance saw them take the lead by opening up space to enable Jamie Masters to finish from close range. This was followed shortly by a second from Oise Emafo, and despite conceding with 15 minutes to go, Joe Lilley fired home from close range with 5 minutes on the clock to earn the Abingdon 1st XI a well earned 3-1 win away from home.