This weekend see’s the three senior sides in action, plus the youth team’s are all due to be back into action, however with the majority of pitches waterlogged, some fixtures will be in doubt.
Town 1st Team welcome Kintbury Rangers to Tucker Park on Saturday in NBFL Division 1, kick off at 2.00pm. Town will be strengthened with the Christmas signing of Martyn Gatehouse, who has returned to the club, following his decision to leave Shrivenham FC. Gatehouse is a young and combative centre half, who will have improved from his Hellenic experience, where he started 10 fixtures. Rangers are currently in a rich vein of form, having won their last six league and cup outings, including a crucial 2-1 victory of neighbours and fellow title challenger Lambourn Sports, last time out. Rangers and Town did meet in October, where Town were defeated 3-1 and it’s hope that the second half of the season, will be more fruitful than the first. Town are without Andy Capper and Mark Simpkins due to unavailability, plus Rich Evans is suspended.
The Reserves will be looking to complete their first double of the season, as they travel to Sutton Courtenay in NBFL Division 2, kick off 2.00pm. Town won the encounter at Tucker Park 1-0, through a late Max Scholefield strike, which was their last league victory. Courtenay have gone on to pick up victories during the season, with 5 wins, 1 draw and 6 defeats so far, including a 4-3 away win at Hanney Utd last time out which see’s then sitting in 6th position. Their main strike threat will be from Rhys Griffiths, who has grabbed 8 goals in 13 appearances. Town have a full squad to choose from, with Jacko Puzey back from first team duties and striker Colin Yates expected to make his debut for the club, as the reserves look to raise themselves from the foot of the table.
Town A Team will again play a NBFL division 4 fixture at Tucker Park, with Lambourn Sports Reserves the visitors to Tucker Park, kick off 2.00pm.This will be the A’s eighth home league fixture, from a possible 11, so they can expect a long line of away fixtures over the coming months. Sports Reserves gained promotion from Division 5 last season, after winning the championship and won the reverse encounter 2-0 in October. Sports currently sit in fourth position and this seasons promotion charge was halted last weekend with a 4-3 defeat at Kennington Athletic. Town should have good numbers available for selection and will be looking to start the new year on a high.
Moving onto the youth teams, the under 8’s are in development action, with St Edmunds to visitors to Tucker Park on Saturday morning, kick off 10.30am. The under 10’s are also playing a development fixture, on the road again to Kidlington Youth, kicking off at 10.30am.
The under 12’s are in action on Sunday morning, with Oxford Blackbirds to visitors for this Autumn C League 10.30am encounter. This is both sides final Autumn fixture, with the sides currently in 6th & 7th positions, seperated by a point, so bragging rights up for grabs.
The under 15’s are in Knockout Cup action on Sunday morning, when Cumnor Minors are the visitors to Tucker Park, kick off 10.30am. Minors compete in the A League and Town the C, so the visitors are heavy favourites with Town having nothing to lose.
The under 16’s welcome Tower Hill to Tucker Park on Sunday afternoon, in the B League. Kick off is 2.00pm, with Tower Hill sitting third with 9 points and Town fourth on 7 points and a game in hand. The sides met in the League Cup during September, the match ended 2-2, with Town progressing 5-3 on penalties.
Dave Clauson will take charge of the under 17’s in the absence of Dan Heffernan and entertain Summertown Stars at Tucker Park, kick off 2.00pm. Town are currently in 7th position, one place lower than Stars trailing by two points and having a game in hand.
