It’s a weekend to re-build for the senior sides after last weekend’s disappointments, whilst the youth sides continue their ongoing progress.
Town 1st Team will hope the last two weeks results are just a blip, when Abingdon Town visit Tucker Park for the latest NBFL Division 1 fixture. Kick Off is at 2.00pm, with the away side hoping to pick up points over struggling Town and join the upper half of the division, whilst Town will see this as an opportunity to grab a much-needed three points against a side three places above them in the table. The visitors have seen two cup victories over the last fortnight, however their league form has been disappointing with one victory and four defeats in their last five Division 1 fixtures. Town obviously need to stop shipping goals, after shipping 19 the last two weekends. The squad see’s a number of additions, with centre half Chris Benson & Robbie Harrington added to the squad.
Town Reserves are in County Cup action, with a trip to NBFL Division 3 side Compton FC, in the 3rd Round of the Junior Cup, kick off is 1.30pm. Due to the early kick off and travel time, the squad has been decimated, however it gives the Reserves a chance to try some of the younger players within the squad. The home side are new to NBFL football, currently lying 2nd bottom of their division, with a win and two draws to their credit. Town are struggling in the division above and this competition will be a welcome distraction. To reach this draw of the competition, Town defeated Hellenic club Letcombe Reserves 1-0, whilst the home side defeated NBFL division 4 side Wallingford Reserves 3-2 after extra time. The Town squad see’s 17 year olds Joe Clauson & Joe Weatherall likely to make their Reserve debuts.
Paul Hulme & Nick Wojcik will be hoping their squad can bounce back from the disappointment of their League Cup defeat to Berinsfield Reserves last weekend as they return to NBFL division 4 action, with Long Wittenham Reserves the visitors for this 2.00pm kick off. Wittenham are so far unbeaten in all competitions, with one win and three draws in the league and three cup victories the last three weekends, which now see’s them, four fixtures behind some rivals. The sides were evenly matched last season, with 3-0 victories for both sides, plus a 0-0 draw. Town’s squad is bolstered by the return of striker Li-am Farmer to partner Jason Evans, whilst Ryan Sharps will strengthen the midfield area.
On to the youth section and the three development sides are all in Trophy Event action. The under 8’s travel to East Hanney for a 10.00am kick off. The under 9’s welcome Hinksey Park Lions to Tucker Park, kick off 10.30am and the under 10’s are on the road again, this time Mansfield Road FC, also kicking off at 10.30am.
Sunday will see two home fixtures and three away for the older lads. The under 12’s travel to Marston Saints for a bottom of the table clash. Town sit bottom on 4 points but have two games in hand over the home side and are only a point behind the second bottom saints. Kick off 10.30am.
Second placed Town under 13’s travel to Hinksey Park for a 10.30am kick off, with Park in 6th position. The home side have had a mix bag of results, but Town know they will have to perform to gain the three points.
The under 15’s are at Tucker Park on Sunday morning, 10.30am kick off with top of the table Goring Robins the visitors. Town will want to bounce back from their County Cup exit last weekend, with a victory seeing them rise into the top three.
Town under 16’s are without a fixture, which give the lads a chance to nurse their bruises from last weekend.
Fifth placed Town Reserves welcome ninth Hook Norton to Tucker Park for a 2.00pm kick off on Sunday afternoon, hoping the weeks rest will have given the lads time to reflect on their last outing. A win will see the 16’s remain in contact with the top four.
