So, for the third weekend running, all of the Town sides will have everything crossed, hoping they can play a competitive fixture for the first time, since the festive break. Waterlogged pitches have seen many fixtures in the country postponed, but with heavy frost now hitting us, hard and dangerous playing surfaces may beat us!
However, the sides will prepare as normal and this Saturday see’s the First Team looking to travel to Abingdon Town in NBFL Division 1, kick off 2.00pm. Abingdon did manage to play their Berks & Bucks County Cup 4th Round clash with Letcombe FC on Tuesday night. the club is rumoured to have pump water from the playing surface prior to kick off and after losing 4-0, the match did put the playing surface under enormous strain and therefore the fixture has to be in doubt, no matter what the weather. Town’s preparations are hurt by the unavailability and suspension of players, with Adam Sly, Josh Forth, Dan Oyston away and Rich Evans ban carried over until a fixture is played. This gives Alfie West the opportunity to stake a claim for a First Team shirt. The two sides met at Tucker Park and in a tightly contested fixture, Town slipped to a 2-0 home defeat with both goals in the final 10 minutes.
The Reserves are in cup action at Tucker Park, with a Nairne Paul Trophy Quarter Final taking place at 1.30pm, with Saxton Rovers Reserves from NBFL Division 3, the visitors. Rovers were relegated from NBFL Division 2 last season, finishing one place higher than Town, who now occupy the bottom position, however their performances do not show a true reflection. Rovers current occupy 6th position in their division, with 11 points from 11 fixtures and appear to be very difficult to beat, having picked up 5 draws and 2 victories in those 11 matches. They last played on the 12th December 2015, one week earlier than Town and so both sides will be a little ring rusty. Rovers main goal threat will be Michael Smith, who has notched 8 goals in 11 appearances. Town will hope to give new signing Colin Yates his Town debut, whilst the rest of the squad remains unchanged from the last two weeks postponed fixtures, with maybe one late addition in the week.
Town A Team will be looking to put a run of results together, which will see them climb away from the relegation places and will look to open their New Year with an away win at Blewbury FC in NBFL Division 4. Kick off at the Bohams Road Ground is 2.00pm and with the home side currently sitting in 5th position, this will be no easy task for the A’s. Both sides last competitive fixture was on December 12th at Tucker Park in the reverse fixture, where Blewbury ran out 2-0 winners. With Town’s next two fixtures being against sides, in and amongst them in the bottom half of the division, they will be hoping to gain some momentum. The squad has been hit by unavailability, however it’s hoped some of the promising under 17 squad can step up and give a good account of themselves.
The three development squads are in action on Saturday morning, with the under 8’s on the road to Berinsfield FC, kick off 10.30am. The under 9’s are at home to Grove Challengers White at 10.30am, followed by the under 10’s, who entertain Mansfield Road at 12.00pm.
Sunday morning see’s two matches at Tucker Park. The under 12’s kick things off with an opening Spring C League fixture with Didcot Town Youth White at 10.30am. Didcot have come down from the Autumn B League, after registering four points from eight fixtures.
The under 13’s are the final match at Tucker Park on Sunday, when they entertain Botley Boys Red in the B League. The squad has seen coach Ben Small take charge from Charlie Bodle, so the parents and players wish to thank Charlie for his efforts over the last three seasons and it’s hoped Ben can now progress the side further, with pointless Botley the visitors for this 12.00pm kick off.
Carl Allum and his under 15’s are on the road Sunday morning, with a trip to Hinksey Park in the C League. Town sit in fourth position, one place below Park who have a five point advantage, but having played one extra fixture. The two sides met on the opening day of the season, with Park winning 3-2 in a closely fought encounter.
The under 16’s will be hoping to get their league campaign up and running again after a number of cup fixtures during November and December, when they travel to Cropredy for a B League 2.00pm kick off on Sunday. Town have played only four fixtures so far, whilst the hosts have played five and sit second bottom, with Town fourth.
The under 17’s are also in the league action and travel to Oxford to face top of the table Summertown United in the B League. United have a 100% record from their eight fixtures, so Town travel as massive underdogs, sitting in 7th position, but hoping to spring a surprise.
