28 March 2017
The final week of the football season started with the annual inter-foundation fixtures against Abingdon Prep School over at Cox’s Field. The U12 sides both continued their terrific run of form, the U12 As and Bs winning 5-0 and 3-0 respectively, whilst the U13 Bs got their second win of the season with a 6-2 win. Despite their best efforts the U13 As conceded late, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat.
With the U14 As having beaten Shiplake U14 As convincingly last Saturday, we welcomed Shiplake U14 As to Waste Court to play against the Abingdon U14 Bs, with the Abingdon Cs also taking on the Shiplake U14 Bs. Despite a strong work ethic, both the U14 sides suffered defeats, however the U15 Cs secured a 2-1 win over the U15 Bs of Shiplake, Matt Stitt Brouwer with a 30 yard screamer to win it. The U15 As drew 3-3.
Moving to the weekend, and the U14s made the long trip across to Berkhamsted. Despite positive performances, unfortunately all 3 teams suffered narrow defeats against strong opposition in tough conditions whilst the U15 A and B sides also came off second best. To raise the Club’s sprits however the U15 Cs continued their run of form with a well earned 4-1 win.
Off the back of two wins, the U16 As were looking to make it 3 from 3, however, having gone down to 10 men early on the going was always going to be tough, and with the game in the balance with 70 minutes played, a late Berkhamsted goal left the Abingdon side feeling hard done by, whilst the U16 Bs also suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat. The Cs however securing an excellent 3-1 win.
Moving into the seniors and on their third outing of the season the 5th XI were competitive in their 2-1 defeat, whilst the 4th XI also came off second best. Given the chance to play on Waste Court the 3rd XI took advantage of the space available in securing a 2-2 draw, whilst goals from Oliver Haynes and Miguel Zilvetti gave the 2nd XI a well earned 2-0 away win. Finally, having conceded two early on, the 1st XI found themselves backs to the wall at half time with a 3-0 disadvantage, and despite a rejuvenated second half effort in which the side created a number of opportunities, the game finished 3-1. The Abingdon side will certainly feel they had the ability to get more.
Whilst on paper this block fixture may not go down as the most successful of the season, it certainly demonstrates the progress that the Football Club has made this year in that all sides were competitive, standing up and going toe to toe with a strong football school, and I am sure that this upward trend will only continue as we move into 2018.
Thanks you for your continued support on the touchline.
