10 January 2018
Wednesday 2 January saw the start of football pre-season, and having only returned from Villarreal two weeks before, freezing conditions and gale force winds presented a different challenge to the senior and U16 footballers. Over the course of 5 days all age groups were put through their paces by the coaches taking advantage of the fantastic facilities at Tilsley Park. The opening fixture of the season saw the 1st XI play against an Old Abingdonian Returning Captains XI made up of players that left the school last year, and in a well spirited and end to end fixture the Old Boys on this occasion came away victorious. It was a delight to be able to welcome back so many members of the OA community on what was an enjoyable social occasion.
On Saturday morning the Lower School sides started their pre-season under the guidance of guest coaches from the 1st team at Oxford United; later that afternoon the U16s welcomed Sherborne School to Tilsley Park. Moving the ball freely and clearly looking to implement the work undertaken earlier in the week the Abingdon side deserved their convincing win.
The five day pre-season program came to a close with the 1st XI squad attending the Rugby School pre-season football festival on Sunday. In a competitive day of fixtures, three wins and a draw saw the Abingdon side finish the tournament unbeaten and with four clean sheets, leaving with the trophy for the second year in a row.
The Football Club now looks forward to the first block fixture of the Lent term against Berkhamsted School next weekend.
