20 March 2017
On a beautiful afternoon for football, week 9 of the season started with lower school fixtures against St Hugh’s School. Over at Cox’s Field, the U12 As responded to their defeat on Saturday with a convincing 5-3 win whilst the U12 Bs continued to play with flair in their convincing win. Over at St Hugh’s the U13 As picked up their thoroughly deserved first win of the season with a 4-2 victory, whilst the U13 Bs also secured a 2-0 win.
On the same afternoon the senior sides travelled to Reading Grammar School in the final games of their Thames Valley League campaigns. Starting with the 4th XI, having been 4-3 down with 10 minutes to go, the Abingdon side rallied to a Barcelona like comeback, securing a 6-4 win to keep their league hopes alive, whilst a Charlie Goulder goal secured a 1-0 win for the 3rd XI. With a number of injuries resulting in a re-shuffle the 2nd XI unfortunately came off second best in a physical encounter, losing 2-0. Finally despite a strong first half performance the 1st XI had to settle for a 2-2 draw against a physical, and direct Reading side. Despite taking the lead early on through Harry Fishpool and then Tom Hale, the Abingdon side were undone by Reading’s long approach in a game in which the Abingdon side will feel disappointed that they didn’t leave with more.
The penultimate weekend of fixtures started with the U14 As making the trip across to Shiplake College. With the opportunity to play centre stage on Shiplake’s open morning. The Abingdon side played with great confidence on their way to a convincing 6-0 win. The afternoon fixtures came with great anticipation; derby day against local school Radley College. Over at Radley the U15 As battled well and will feel hard done by, suffering a 1-0 defeat, whilst the Bs secured a 1-1- draw. A Luke Brownsord hatrick helping the U15 C side to a convincing 5-1 win. Also at Radley the U16 As made it two from two with a terrific 2-1 win on the Radley main pitch, whilst the U16 Bs drew 3-3, the U16 Cs unfortunately came off second best on this occasion in a 1-2 defeat. Over at Abingdon the 5th XI were making their 2nd outing of the season, and despite their best efforts suffered a narrow 3-1 defeat whilst the 4th XI battled hard in their 2-2 draw. Unfortunately both the 3rd and 2nd XIs where outmuscled in their fixtures, suffering narrow defeats.
Over at Tilsley Park, the morning had seen the inaugural OA Football fixture taking place with 16 Old Abingdonians retuning to rekindle friendships over a game of football and some enjoyable hospitality before staying to support the 1st XI in their derby fixture. A strong start from the Abingdon side saw the home team take the lead through Oise Emafo, and when Henry Plumpton converted from a corner on the stroke of half time Abingdon was in control. A third from Patrick Leggett and a very disciplined and controlled second half display saw the Abingdon side seal a convincing 3-0 win. A clean sheet, and unbeaten record at home this season giving the team great confidence ahead of the final fixutres of the season next Saturday against Berkhamsted.
Thank you for your continued support on the touchline and we look forward to seeing a number of parents and supporters at the Football Club Dinners this week.
