This weekend see’s a host of football at Tucker Park on Saturday, whilst on Sunday all the youth teams are on the road…………
Starting with the seniors, the 1st Team are at home looking to bounce back from last weekend mauling at Berinsfield FC in the Charity Shield, with a NBFL Division 1 fixture at home to Saxton Rovers. Town currently sit one place off the bottom of the table and need to start stringing some league victories together, now their cup interest is over. Rovers currently lie in 5th position, within just one defeat and four victories from their opening five league encounters and are looking to make a serious challenge for the title. They did however suffer a shock defeat last weekend, also in the Charity Shield, when Division 2 leaders Stanford ITV held them on 120 minutes before winning 3-1 on penalties. Town’s squad news is that striker Rich Evans is missing through injury and midfielder Derren Harrington is working. This presents an opportunity to Dan Oyston who has found the net regularly in the Reserves. Kick off is at 2.00pm.
Town Reserves make the short journey along the A420 to Appleton to face Westminster FC in NBFL Division 2. Kick Off at the Netherton Road Sports Ground is 2.00pm and this see’s third bottom Town face a winless Westminster who currently have gained just a single point. However, Town must not take this game lightly, the home side on going into the fixture on the back of two cup wins, one over league leaders Stanford ITV in the War Memorial Cup, so they have started to pick up form and will see this match as a chance to collect their first league victory. Town lost both fixtures last season without registering a goal, but will hope the returning Tommy McCulloch can find his shooting boots, whilst 17 year old full-back Alfie West steps down from 1st Team duties to gain more valuable game time.
The A Team are also at Tucker Park this Saturday afternoon, with a League Cup 2nd Round tie with Berinsfield Reserves, also from NBFL Division 4. Kick off is at 1.30pm and it see’s the sides match up very soon after their league encounter, which saw Beri win 4-1. However, the two sides sit 8th & 9th in the league table and Town will be wanting to continue their winning run in this competition, by reaching the final for the third consecutive season. The visitors will be hoping to match their 1st Team’s scoreline last weekend over Town. Town beat Wallingford Town 3-0 to reach this stage, whilst the visitors received a bye. Squad news see’s top scorer Li-am Farmer unavailable, but Adam Bird is expected back.
On the youth teams and Saturday morning will see the under 8’s welcome Berinsfield FC and the under 9’s Harwell & Hendred Youth Blue to Tucker Park, both kicking off at 10.30am. the under 10 development team makes the journey to Stonesfield Strikers for a 11.30am kick off.
Chris Benson and his under 12’s travel to Abingdon United, Sunday lunchtime for a 12.30pm kick off. United have won three of their five fixtures, sitting in 4th position, whilst 8th placed Town have the one so far.
The under 13’s have what looks like a tricky tie in Oxford, when they face Littlemore Youth at 10.30am on Sunday morning. 2nd placed Town beat 4th placed Littlemore 2-1 at Tucker Park in September, so a close encounter is expected.
The under 15’s are in County Cup action, with a short trip along the A420 to Cumnor Minors. this see’s C League Town take on A League Minors, so Town are expected to be the underdogs, however the squad has goals available after last weekend 8 against Summertown Comets.
The under 16’s also travel towards Oxford, however their they face Kidlington Youth Celtic at 2.00pm Sunday afternoon. The two sides are level on points, but Town have two games in hand, sitting 4th and Celtic 5th.
The under 17’s are without a fixture this weekend.
