Abingdonian 2017

39 www.abingdon.org.uk Lent Term of their ten games played, amassing an impressive 50 goals over the course of the season. The 3rd XI started with a convincing 6-1 win over St Edward’s Oxford, whilst also beating Cokethorpe, Oratory and Bedford Modern School. The 2nd XI had yet another successful season, losing only three of their 12 fixtures played. A 2-1 victory away at St John’s Leatherhead and a 2-1 win over Forest demonstrated the quality of this group, whilst securing a 1-1 draw away at Hampton was also a superb achievement. A 2-0 win away at Berkhamsted was a just way for this group of players to finish the season, and having played some very good football throughout, they perhaps deserved more than their second place in the Thames Valley League. Despite suffering defeat in the inaugural returning captains’ football fixture on the final evening of pre-season, the 1st XI squad bounced back superbly going unbeaten at and winning the Rugby College Pre-Season Football Festival. This was a great platform for the first fixture of the season, and despite playing the last 10 minutes with 10 men, a 2-1 away win against a well drilled St John’s Leatherhead side was a terrific way to start the year. Further wins over St Edward’s, Forest Wellingborough, Shiplake and Oratory gave the team great confidence, before a 3-0 home win against Radley provided the Abingdon side local bragging rights for another year. A 1-0 win at the inaugural Friday night-lights over MCS was a superb result, which again saw the 1st XI finish agonisingly close in second place in the Thames Valley League. Whilst seeing current pupils take to the field at Tilsley Park this year, it was also a pleasure to be part of the inaugural OA football fixture which saw 16 Old Abingdonians take to the field ahead of the Radley block fixture. I am sure this will be something that will grow in the future. Furthermore, it was a pleasure to welcome back Old Abingdonian and current Scottish Premier League Footballer Alex Fisher as the guest of honour to the Football Club Dinner this year. This was a fitting way to draw to a close another highly enjoyable season of participation, progress, and success for all involved. Tom Donnelly