I had intended on going today, the last match of the season. Unfortunately the call of Valley Parade proved too much, so all I know is that we lost 4-0. Thank god the season is over.

Anyway after early pressure from Thame when Walker hit the post and ex-Abbot Martin Brown hit the crossbar, Abingdon started to look dangerous on the break and on the stroke of half-time Lee McCormick's shot from 25 yards hit the underside of the bar.

In the second half Maciak opened the scoring at the far post after 52 minutes before Jefferson Louis added the second on the hour. Scott put through his own goal after a run from Louis before it was 4 in the 70th minute, Walker scoring from 2 yards. Abingdon's miserable season was complete when Liam Herbert went in goal for the final 15 minutes but we still couldn't score!

What a bizarre end to the season for Oxford Utd though - there we were, 600 of us at Bradford to spoil the Bantams' promotion party, and after playing superbly for a 0-0 draw we had to hang on to see if we had been relegated. Port Vale and Crewe had won, it all depended on Bury - if they avoided defeat at West Brom we would be down. The tannoy went through the scores - West Brom 0 Bury 0 - shit that was it. Gloom and depression all round. Mocking from the home fans on the way back to the car. Get in the car, switch the radio on, first thing we hear is "and one late result - West Brom 1 Bury 0" - we're still up!!! The game had kicked off late apparantly so we still cling to some mathematical miracle into the final game. Oxford need to beat Stockport and score 4 more goals than QPR who must also lose to Crystal Palace. And Bury must lose to Port Vale - piece of cake then!

Sorry not much to do with the Abbots but I reckon I'm mightily relieved to see the season over! I'll be taking a break but will still post any news on here as and when, and also the chat forum will be open all through the summer for all the rumours/fixture news. See you in August and cheers for visiting!

24th April

Cheers once again to Gazza for the report - I was up the Manor watching Oxford Utd virtually condemn themselves to 2nd Division football next season - what a sad season all round!

Well the Abbots managed to keep a clean sheet for the first 44.5 minutes of the game... that was the good news in our final home game in Division 2 for at least a year. We had our chances but Tooting had more, and the scoreline could have been far worse but for some good saves by Jenkins. The Abbots looked lively in the 1st half, with Tristan Didcock playing superbly in midfield, and our best scoring chances falling to defenders, but the visitors keeper wasn't really troubled. The visitors scoring on the stroke of half-time.

The 2nd half saw Tooting in more control of the game, and we never really looked like breaking them down, they extended their lead in the 75th minute, but by then we were looking towards next season and hoping to do better things.

The refurbished clubhouse is now open, and very smart it looks too!!

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Douglas,Hannah,McLennon,Woodley,Didcock,Banham,Wells,Wyatt,Price.Subs:Twine,Bevan,McCormick. Att: 53

17th April

It's a sad state of affairs when my first reaction on seeing the score was "Christ we managed to score 2 goals, good stuff!"......

Anyway - nothing in the Oxford Mail that anybody didn't already know - the 'match report' said we lost 6-2, that we were relegated, and that Keith Stopps resigned last week - great. As and when I hear more I'll be sure to post it on here.

UPDATE - Reuben got the 2 goals - should've guessed!

Team:Jenkins,Bevan,Rodney,Woodley,McLennon,McCormick,Didcock,Charles,Wells,Wyatt,Banham.Subs:Twine,Rodgers.

15th April

Abingdon manager Keith Stopps has resigned. He cited differences between himself and the board(!) where he had views of us consolidating and using youngsters to re-establish ourselves, whereas the club were aiming to bounce straight back to Division 1. Good for the board I reckon!

13th April

The Abbots were finally put out of their misery tonight with defeat at Edgware condemning us to relegation to Division 3. Wokingham also won, 1-0 at Hertford so even a victory tonight would have been in vain. However Abingdon put up a good fight and only 2 late goals by the home side deprived the Abbots of 3 points.

Abingdon took the lead in the 53rd minute when substitute Richard Twine finished off a flowing move. Shortly afterwards Christian Glynn hit the bar for the home side, before they equalised through Parry in the 81st minute, before the same player struck again 4 minutes from time.

Team:Jenkins,Bevan,Douglas,Price,Hannah,Woodley,Rodney,Banham,Charles,Wells,Wyatt.Subs:Twine,Rodgers.

10th April

Cheers again to Gazza for the report......

Northwood beat us 5-0 in the return fixture, so only losing 4-1 should count as an improvment, but Abingdon were completely outplayed by the visitors and rarely forced the opposition keeper into action. The visitors opened the scoring in the 4th minute, with a goal that looked to be at least 5 yards offside - Fitzgerald being the scorer. They increased the lead on 15 minutes when Burgess struck the ball from outside the box and it took a huge looping deflection that Jenkins could do nothing about. Gell made it 3 on the half hour before everyone trooped into the upstairs bar at half-time to watch Bobby-Jo win the race -- oh well maybe next year..

Ten minutes into the 2nd half, the visitors made it 4-0 when Sargent latched onto a quick free-kick taken 10 yards ahead of the incident with the referee seeming not to care. Reuben managed a consolation goal 10 minutes later with a well taken shot, but really we were never in the game and were fortunate not to concede more. Brighter news the Clubhouse refurbisment is almost finished and it should re-open next week.

Team:Jenkins, Rodney, Douglas, Hannah, McLennon, Woodley, Didcock, Charles, Wells, Banham, Price. Subs:Twine,Wyatt,McCormick. Att: 46

5th April

We were going to go today but a dark sky this morning meant a lie in, up for breakfast and down the Black Swan at lunchtime for the day - Bank Holidays don't you just love 'em!

Anyway, goals from Gary Horgan and Andy Wollen put another nail in the Abbot's coffin, the first coming after 38 minutes with a speculative lob into the far corner of the net. Abingdon did create a couple of chances with Richard Twine and Robbie Wyatt going close.

After the break Hungerford went 2-0 up when Wollen shot low into the corner from the edge of the box, with Abingdon's best chance coming when Roger Charles shot wide when clean through. Oh a far cry from our last visit here 8 years ago when a last minute header from John Harvey-Lynch virtually sealed the Division 2 South Championship for us in front of a large contingent from Abingdon!

Team:Jenkins,Bevan,Douglas,Price,Twine,Woodley,Didcock,Charles,Wells,Wyatt,McCormick. Subs:Pierson. Att: 47

3rd April

A well earned point for the Abbots with the added bonus of us discovering a new wonder-striker! Kurt bagged both our goals. Reuben was suspended, so we started the game with Wyatt and Price up front, but it was the visitors who made all the initial headway and opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Kevin Davies managed to lob a simple header over a clutch of defenders and the keeper , but Abingdon responded well and equalised 5 minutes later when from a free kick in our own half, Pricey fought well to win the ball and the Kurt popped up to slide the ball home. The visitors then regained the lead on 30 minutes when a high ball was lobbed over the static defence and fell perfectly for Taylor to power home a volley. Super-Kurt to the rescue shortly afterwards when once again the ball was popped out to the left side and he ran in to slot the ball home.

The 2nd half had numerous chances at both ends, the visitors coming the closest, somehow managing to hit the post with an open goal beckoning. Kurt was playing superbly and deserved a hat-trick, but it wasn't to be. The Abbots came close too, but shared points probably reflected the game. The clubhouse refurbisment is progressing well, but Rik reckons it will be another 3 weeks before it opens. Funniest moment of the game was physio Roger Nichols hobbling onto the pitch to help an injured player after pulling a calf muscle earlier in the match.

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Douglas,Hannah,McLennon,Woodley,Didcock,Charles,Wyatt,Price,Banham. Subs:Twine. Att: 79

27th March

Firstly many apologies for the apparent lack of the site update this week. However there has been a problem with the web server meaning that although the site was accessible from late Saturday I could not upload any new pages until Wednesday afternoon!!

Anyway - on with the bad news - Abingdon were hit for 6 for the second time this season by Windsor. Following their 6-1 win at Culham Road back in November Windsor slammed another 6 goals past the desperate Abbots, which included the dreaded 100th goal conceded. I did not go - a nice day, beautiful sunshine, a toss-up between going to Windsor or going to the Black Swan to watch the England game - no contest then! Anyway after a bright start Abingdon fell behind in the 19th minute, when striker Greene, who scored 5 at Culham Road, got the first of his hat-trick today (as reported by the Oxford Mail - the Windsor site says he got 4!!!). A minute later, from one of Abingdon's best moments, Jeff Banham hit the post. We were 4-0 down at the break, including Greene completing a 13 minute hat-trick with a spectacular volley. 2 more in the second half to seal a miserable day for the Abbots who can probably hardly wait for the season to draw to a close.

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Charles,McLennon,Hannah,Woodley,Didcock,McCormick,Banham,Twine,Wells. Subs:Wyatt,Price.

20th March

With many thanks to Gazza for this week's match report...again....

Abingdon's faint hopes of avoiding the drop must surely be gone after today's defeat by the Met Police. The Abbots actually played pretty well, but the visitors dominated the game and looked a far better side than their league position implies. The first half was goalless, with the Police , looking ever dangerous, coming closest to scoring after 20 minutes when a looping effort had Jenkins stranded, but it fortunately hit the bar. After the break Abingdon looked to be improving, and almost scored after 50 minutes, Twiney broke down the left and hit a powerful shot, but the keeper held it well. As always seems to happen to us, the opponents responded immediately and broke away - for Detective Constable Reed to slot the ball home. The same player could have made it 2 less than a minute later but was foiled by a great save by Jenkins. Ten minutes later PC Scott made it 2-0 and the Abbots appeared to be on the end of a thrashing when PC Rose made it 3-0. but all credit to the boys, they didn't give up and we managed to claw a goal back when Reuben played a nice ball to Pricey on the right wing and he held his nerve to slot it past the onrushing PC Land. Abingdon's hopes of salvaging a dramatic point were raised deep into stoppage time (much of the stoppage was an injury to Pricey that looked like a broken nose) when Roger Charles headed home, immediately after the restart the Abbots surged forward with Kurt and Twine working well on the left, but the attack broke down and the Police broke away for PC Prins to wrap the game up. 4-2 to the visitors, and Division 3 beckoning for us.

Team:Jenkins,Rodgers,Douglas,Price,McLennon,Woodley,Didcock,Charles,Wells,Wyatt,Twine. Subs:Bevan,Pierson. Att: 79

13th March

With many thanks to Gazza for this week's match report.......

Abingdon's hopes of avoiding the drop to Division 3 were kept alive today by a spirited performance and crushing victory at Culham Road against an admittedly weak opposition. Indeed the visitors played the first 25 minutes with only 10 men, as three of their squad were delayed. Abingdon looked the brighter from the kick-off and soon took the lead in a nice move, Reuben neatly layed the ball off to Julian Price who ran wide on the right then crossed it back in front of the keeper for Twine to slide it home off the post. Pricey should have made it 2 a minute later when it seemed easier to score than miss, but he could not quite get the right purchase on the ball. Abingdon continued to look the better side, until the arrival of one of the delayed players evened up the numbers. The visitors scored just before half time, a corner to the far post was met by Holden whose header beat the Abingdon defence.

The 2nd half started well too, Pricey could and should have scored in the 1st minute, then was clear through 5 minutes later as the Hertford defence tried to play him offside - he ran the ball into the area then managed to whip the ball across face of the goal - Roger Charles threw himself at the ball and missed it completely, but saw it fall right at the feet of Reuben who slammed it into the roof of the net. Reuben got the third with a header after a break down the right and Matthew Shelton rounded off the victory with a goal at the 3rd attempt after the keeper and defender parried 2 shots straight back to him. The visitors played the last 10 mins with 10 men after defender Steve Wansell was sent off for 2 yellows, and more players were lucky to stay on the pitch after a mass brawl near the end.

A good performance all round, Tristan Didcock had a suberb game in midfield, young Twiney looked as dangerous as ever and Darren Masterton performed well on his debut, particularly in the 2nd half when he played a number of well timed passes through for the front two to run onto. If we play like this next week against Met Police and a couple of other results go our way - we might yet avoid the drop, although Barking won today - beating Edgware 1-0, and Bracknell drew 2-2.

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Douglas,Masterton,McLennon,Woodley,Didcock,Charles,Wells,Twine,Price. Subs:Shelton,Rodgers,Oram. Att: 62

9th March

I didn't go to the game, when I heard the result I was gutted, but when I heard we had been 2-0 up at half-time - well........

I'm afraid all I know is from Greeny's comments on the chat page - the Oxford Mail didn't even have a report of the game, but they had one for Abingdon Utd v Banbury Utd - what the hell is going on can't anyone at the club take responsibility for the press?? If anyone else can add any more detail please do so on the chat page, thanks. Anyway enough of that - Tommy McCormick gave us the lead after 90 seconds, Tristan then added a second after half an hour, by the sound of it we were a bit lucky to go in 2-0 up though but in the second half an early injury to Mick McLennon coincided with Hemel really turning it on and hitting 5 without reply, although one was a dodgy penalty!

Wokingham beat Northwood 3-0 too so that's about it, Division 3 here we come - we may as well face reality and start preparing for life next season, let's hope we can consolidate and get back up through this league where we belong - I reckon we've got the nucleus of a decent looking side and as mentioned on the chat page the off the field activities are looking better so it's not all bad news!

6th March

From the Oxford Mail - Bottom side Abingdon earned another point - but their attempt to avoid relegation for the second successive season still seems a lost cause. They have now won two and drawn one of their last four encounters, but they find themselves further adrift at the foot of the table as both Bracknell and Wokingham won at the weekend. Wivenhoe caused problems for the Town defence early on, but Mick McLennon and Nathan Woodley kept them at bay, whilst at the other end Reuben and Twiney worked hard without troubling the keeper.

In the second half Abingdon had more of the game with new signing Tommy McCormick influential. But Wivenhoe should have opened the scoring when Alan Day broke through and lobbed David Jenkins only to see his attempt go narrowly wide. Shortly afterwards Abingdon had an appeal for a penalty turned down when a Wivenhoe player appeared to handle the ball.

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Douglas,Woodley,McLennon,Hannah,Didcock,Charles,Wells,McCormick,Twine. Subs:Price. Att: 96

27th February

A superb goal from substitute Richard Twine 12 minutes from time gave Abingdon only their second home league win of the season against 3rd place Harlow. It was a tremendous result for the Abbots and confirmed their recent improvement in form. Abingdon started brightly in an entertaining game but after 10 minutes a nasty injury to left-back Anthony Wise resulted in him being stretchered from the pitch with damaged knee ligaments, to be replaced by Cecil Rodney. After Harlow had missed a couple of good chances Abingdon took the lead after 14 minutes when a great cross from the left by Tristan Didcock was superbly headed home by Nathan Woodley. Harlow responded and on more than one occasion balls flew across the Abbots' 6 yard box with nobody to apply the final touch. After 28 minutes Abingdon fans were in dreamland when Reuben Wells burst through the Harlow defence and although it appeared he had played the ball too close to the keeper he somehow got a toe to the ball to make it 2-0. Harlow were looking useful up front but dodgy at the back, however they pulled a goal back after 35 minutes with a low shot into the corner of the net. Just before the break Roger Charles was only inches away with a tremendous drive which just cleared the bar.

Even at 2-1 us pessimistic Abingdon fans feared the worst and sure enough Harlow equalised when Tony Kelly smashed the equaliser after 55 minutes. After this the game was pretty even although I have to say if there was going to be a winner it was probably going to be Harlow, but then that's probably because we're so used to it this season! Richard Twine came on for Julian Price and immediately showed his trickery, turning defenders and putting some decent crosses in. He capped all this though after 78 minutes when running onto a crossfield ball wide on the left he hit a tremendous lob over the advancing keeper and it just had enough pace on it to bounce over the line. Cue mayhem at the Culham Road end of the ground (from all 5 of us!). Despite the routine couple of late scares and the referee for some reason adding on SEVEN minutes of stoppage time when there was none at all to play in the second half, the final whistle was greeted with joy. The only trouble is the other buggers at the bottom AGAIN got good results - Wokingham won away, Barking drew as did Witham, in fact only Bracknell lost! By my maths we're 5 points from safety having played 2 games more. Too late? We'll see, after next Saturday we've got 3 homes games in a row, we must win them all and then it could be game on!

Must make a special mention to the travelling support - numbering 50+ who were in tremendous voice.

Team:Jenkins,Douglas,Wise,Hannah,McLennon,Woodley,Didcock,Charles,Wells,Banham,Price. Subs:Rodney,Twine. Att: 111

20th February

Top of the table at home to bottom of the table, and only a 1-0 defeat thanks to a second-half penalty. Maybe this is further indication of our improvement in the last couple of games? And by all accounts we were pretty unlucky not to come away with at least a point. In the first half it was difficult to tell which team were top and bottom as first Julian Price shot wide for the Abbots after an error in the home defence, a header from Richard Twine was helped on by Jeff Banham and cleared off the line and Reuben also burst through but was denied by a last ditch tackle.

In the second half Bedford went close early on before Reuben again was through but shot into the side netting. The only goal came after 69 minutes when Scott Hannah tackled Covington in the area and as Hannah fell to the ground pushed the ball away with his hand and Searle stepped up to score from the spot.

Team:Jenkins,Douglas,Wise,Hannah,Woodley,Didcock,Banham,Charles,Twine,Wells,Price. Att: 350

16th February

Despite a spirited performance Abingdon were unable to build on their tremendous result at Bracknell at the weekend and slipped to a narrow defeat against 4th placed Banstead. Missing central defender Mick McLennon who had 6 stitches in a head wound after Saturday's game, the Abbots started brightly and it was against the run of play when the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes in slighltly bizarre fashion. Not for the first time this season the Town defence got into a mix-up from a cross, the ball seemed to rebound off the post and keeper Jenkins before being bundled into the net. Shortly afterwards Reuben went close with a header and with Richard Twine looking lively up front, after 32 minutes Twine it was who drew Abingdon level when his shot from just outside the box somehow crept under ex-Aldershot keeper Mark Watson to give the home side a deserved equaliser. As the half drew to a close Abingdon were looking the more likely and Matthew Shelton made some dangerous runs down the left putting over some decent crosses.

The second half was delayed for 15 minutes when the lights failed - I never knew you could bet on Ryman League games in Malaysia!!! But eventually they came back on and it was Banstead who started to look the more threatening, and after hitting the bar they took the lead after 62 minutes when a cross from the left was firmly headed home at the far post. The Abbots hit back though and Reuben saw his header flash just wide before Banstead had a shot scrambled away off the line by Nathan Woodley. Abingdon's last decent chance came in the 78th minute when Roger Charles was brought down - definitely inside the area but the referee gave a free kick on the edge. However the only alarm bells ringing were the ones from the car alarm as Tristan's free kick sailed into the car park! In the 94th minute Banstead hit the bar again as they finished the stronger.

Definitely a better performace by Abingdon, Twiney and Matthew Shelton looked dangerous and Jeff Banham in midfield had a good game. Things are improving - a few weeks ago we'd have got stuffed - trouble is it's probably come too late to save us - especially as Bracknell got a point at Tooting tonight. Next game is away to leaders Bedford on Saturday!

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Rodgers,Hannah,Woodley,Shelton,Banham,Charles,Wells,Twine,Didcock. Subs:Price. Att: 64

13th February

Firstly many apologies for being a couple of days late with this amazing news. I was away for the weekend - and after the last couple of games not too sad to be missing this one I have to say - so imagine my surprise when I get a text message on my mobile phone from Gazza saying we'd won 5-0 - could the tide be turning at last? Don't get carried away I know but what a result - again a real 6 pointer but for once we came up trumps.

We were without Kurt, Darren McNamara and Ben Border but went ahead after 11 minutes when Roger Charles volleyed home from 25 yards (I mean when has that ever happened when I've been there?!) - but you think that's amazing - the next bit no joke I tell you - straight from the Oxford Mail - "After 24 minutes CECIL RODNEY cut inside to fire past Edwards for Town's second" - I mean what's going on - Cecil, bless him, has had a torrid season to say the least, never in a million years ever looked like scoring - and he pops up here in our hour of need - great stuff. Reuben and Richard Twine were causing the home defence all sorts of problems and just after Bracknell hit the post Twine popped up to make it 3-0 a minute before half-time.

The second half saw the Abbots continue to dominate and Reuben scored the last 2 goals, the first stroked around the keeper and inside the far post, the second a thunderous drive from 18 yards. He also hit the bar with a header and had a certain claim for a penalty turned down. Mick McLennon suffered a nasty facial injury after 31 minutes but returned heavily bandaged to complete the game before having stitches put into the wound.

So there we are, could this be the boost we needed - I certainly hope so. The only shame was that Wokingham also won - 1-0 against Witham Town - but we're closing in and 3 points tomorrow night and you never know.

Team:Jenkins,Rodney,Hannah,Woodley,McLennon,Wise,Didcock,Banham,Charles,Wells,Twine. Subs:Rodgers,Price,Titcombe.

9th February

Amazingly the match report in the Oxford Mail was remarkably similar to that below which was done without me being at the game! Basically defensive errors cost 3 of the goals, although we looked pretty lively at times, Roger, Twiney and Reuben going close. Hungerford's goals came after 8, 46, 50 and 80 minutes. Matthew Shelton came on as sub playing as a 'guest' from Milton United - who is Woodley though - another new face? No relation I hope.....and Banham is a mate of Scott Hannah's from the army.

Team:Jenkins,Douglas,Wise,Rodney,Woodley,Banham,Didcock,Charles,Wells,J.Price,Twine. Subs:Shelton.

No I didn't forget to change the score from Saturday's report.......I really cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like to have endured this game tonight - luckily for me I was not there. I think the clubhouse was still shut tonight, so as well as being one of the coldest days in the history of ever, you would have had to stand around at half time too. Add to this the shambles of a performance on Saturday and I suspect not many people at all went along tonight. The fact we lost - again - again 4-0 - just sums it all up really. I thought since I was not there we might surprise people and nick a 1-0 or a 2-1 but this is the real world. Two 4-0 defeats in a row, both at home, both to local rivals, the end of the season can't come quickly enough for me.

I'll post the report tomorrow but, at the risk of having to eat my words I could probably do it now - something like - Abingdon had a couple of chances but the keeper saved, they hit us on the break and scored 4 goals from defence errors..........we'll see.

6th February

This was as dire as dire gets I can tell you - first home league game for nearly 2 months and yet the same old story, except you couldn't even argue that we played well this time. It was awful. Marlow scored after 28 minutes when Pritchard saw his shot saved by Jenkins but Matt Flint knocked the rebound home. Abingdon just didn't look like scoring at all and the visitors made it 2 in first half injury time when Pritchard's driven cross was turned into his own net by Cecil Rodney. Mick McLennon then saw his header saved by the Marlow keeper but 2-0 at half time and the signs were ominous.

In the second half to be fair Abingdon did improve - Kurt Douglas saw his point blank shot turned away by keeper Knott from Anthony Wise's cross and from the corner Reuben headed over. Robert Gibson then hit the post for Marlow in front of an open goal before making amends after 66 minutes when he crashed the ball home from the edge of the box. Roger went close late on but the keeper smothered his shot as he was played in, and in the last couple of minutes it was 4 when Pritchard volleyed home a cross from the left as the Town defence again was nowhere.

It really was shocking, absolutely no belief or desire to win and the defence - well shocking might be an understatement. I reckon this is definitely the sign of relegation looming - I just cannot see how we can put some results together if today's performance is anything to go by, Marlow were mid-table - we need to be winning these games but every week it's the same. A shambles. Reuben was subtituted and didn't look too happy - taking his shirt off and walking straight to the dressing room. Even the clubhouse was shut so we had to sit in the car at half-time - how I wish it was full-time then - the whole game to be honest was torture to watch. Well that's my weekly moan over it's off to have a few beers to calm down!

Team:Jenkins,Douglas,Wise,Rodney,McLennon,Hannah,McNamara,Charles,Wells,J.Price,Didcock. Subs:Twine,Banham. Att: 93

2nd February

A dramatic night at Culham Road saw Abingdon crash out of the Vandanel Trophy after losing a 2 goal lead against 9 men and also missing a penalty! The Abbots got off to the perfect start when Roger Charles swept home an Anthony Wise cross after only 2 minutes, and continued to press before going 2-0 up after 20 minutes through Richard Twine. Shortly after this Egham were reduced to 10 men when Twine was brought down on another surging run. Remarkably however this seemed to inspire Egham and two quick goals brought them level by half-time.

In the second half Egham took the lead on the hour before being reduced to 9 men. Abingdon's misery was complete when Richard Twine's penalty was saved after Darren McNamara had been brought down.

Team:Jenkins,Douglas,Wise,Pierson,Rodney,Charles,Fisher,Didcock,McNamara,J.Price,Twine. Subs:Rogers.

30th January

Apologies for yesterday's posting with the wrong score - Thames Valley FM said it was 4-1 but it was actually 4-2 - slightly better I suppose......by all accounts we played pretty well, amazingly it was 0-0 at half-time, we went 1-0 down after 47 minutes after failing to clear a corner (how many times has that been said this season?) but soon after, Julian Price was brought down by the keeper when clean through. Penalty but no red card - Ben Border scored from the spot and soon after looked to have put the Abbots 2-1 up but his effort was disallowed for offside. As seems the norm we then conceded a couple of quick goals before Richard Twine pulled it back to 3-2 - however the Abbots' efforts were to prove in vain as Barking scored the last goal of the match to take the points. Reuben was on holiday which could have made all the difference if he'd played but there you go. Nice to see Mick McLennon back in action too after his innocuous looking injury at Met Police keeping him out for an eternity. Following is my posting from yesterday when I'd just heard it was 4-1...........but finally one other piece of news Rik says we're being "taken over" tomorrow - it seems there's a chap (Ronnie Pepperall?) who sorted out Abingdon United a while back who is going to take over the stewarding of the club - I don't know exactly what this means, whether it's just running the social club or what but by the sounds of it it might help us out a fair bit - put it this way things can't get much worse off the pitch. Probably the best news just lately is that Reuben has signed a contract - so up yours C**y.........also Andy Fleming, Fraser Gills and Lee Keyes have left the club - Keyes going back to Witney - this is a bit of a surprise as I thought he looked a good prospect. Finally finally - all the outstanding fixtures have been re-arranged - see the fixtures page for full details but here are the re-arrangements.

Tue 2nd February Egham Town(h) - Vandanel Trophy (7.45)
Tue 9th February Hungerford Town(h) - League (7.45)
Tue 16th February Banstead Athletic(h) - League (7.45)
Tue 9th March Hemel Hempstead(h) - League (7.45)
Tue 13th April Edgware Town(a) - League (7.45)

Team:Jenkins,Rogers,Douglas,Rodney,McLennon,Hannah,McNamara,Charles,Didcock,J.Price,Border. Subs:Wise,Twine.

Well this is the result that I reckon really puts us in the s**t bigtime. If we're still getting stuffed by these sort of scores by the teams battling down there with us then what hope have we got? The mid-season break has obviously done us no good and personally I reckon we need a minor miracle to stay in the division - I know there's not many points between us and safety at the moment but it seems that virtually every game we get stuffed by 3 or 4 goals and the club as a whole is suffering enormously at the moment. Last season we came down with Thame - now look at them they are candidates for promotion, today they got through the quarter finals of the FA Vase - 2 rounds from Wembley but a world away from Culham Road - what the hell is going on???

That's my moan over I'm off to sink a few pints of Boddies........oh by the way whilst in the Vineyard garage I caught a look at the back page of the Abingdon Herald - there's a big article saying Abingdon Utd are warning us off nicking their players - I think it's a carry over from the debacle with Bomber Brown from the other week. Pity we didn't do the same to City........

29th January

Tomorrow we are away at Barking which is a real 6 pointer, anything less than 3 points will see us still deep in trouble. There was no team news in the Oxford Mail - what's going on? All the other local clubs get write-ups except us! Also the Vandanel Trophy game against Egham has been re-arranged for next Tuesday, 2nd February.

26th January

Tonight's game was called off after a pitch inspection this morning. As yet I haven't heard any news of re-arranged dates.

23rd January

Today's game was another washout - the game was called off this morning which was no surprise as the water on the pitch is about 6 inches deep and is still out to the edge of the penalty area at the river end. I think we'll be lucky to even play on Tuesday against Hungerford.

"Bomber" does a U-turn - Andy "Bomber" Brown has apparantly decided not to join Town and instead stay with Abingdon United. Manager Keith Stopps was gutted - "I am very disappointed. He has turned full circle on me overnight. I have known him a long time and thought his word was going to be enough. He told me he had talked to United and they had offered him more money than I had been able to. We will get a striker in the end - whether it is from there or somewhere else. I am always looking for players whether we are at the bottom of the league or at the top. The standard we are playing at is an improvement for the players, but some of them don't see it like that." - well what d'you make of that? I must say I reckon a defender or 2 is more of a priority at the moment. If we can keep Reuben and Lee Keyes plays I reckon we'll be fine up front, it's more at the other end we need to sort out and get some consistency.

21st January

Not really a surprise that the game was called off - not sure whether it was down to the waterlogged pitch or the fog though! I had to work tonight so I wasn't too sorry to hear it had been called off!

The only other thing worthy of note at the moment is that we've signed striker Andy "Bomber" Brown from Abingdon Utd - he's played under Keith Stopps both at Northcourt Rd and at Milton - I've always thought he was a good player let's just hope he's been brought in to complement Reuben and not to replace him......

16th January

Today's game was called off due a waterlogged pitch.

The next game is at home to Egham Town on Thursday 21st in the Vandanel Trophy - I think! There is some debate as to whether we play Hungerford on Tuesday 19th or the following Tuesday - I'll post something on here or on the chat page as soon as I know.

12th January

With grateful thanks to the Green Man for this report:-

This was not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Town started the game brightly, and took the lead in the 4th minute through Reuben Wells with a well drilled shot across the goalie Pat Jennings(son of yep you guessed it), the game was pretty even, with both sides having cases for penalties turned down, Chesham equalised on 25 with a fine effort by Bushay. The game was still even with Twine and Wells giving Chesham plenty to think about in defence, half time arrived with no more goals.1-1.

The second half exploded, with 3 Chesham goals in 10 minutes, Bushay on 47, where the Town defence backed off till he was close enough to fire a shot home, Totton scored on 49 with a drive that decieved Jenkins in the Town goal. Bashir scored the fourth left unmarked again with 4 defenders watching on 52 mins. Jenkins made many fine saves to keep Chesham at bay.Jennings wasn't having a quiet game by any means, he thwarted Wells and Charles who was also having a storming game, Richard Twine having beaten a defender out wide then sent in a cross-cum-shot that Jennings had to tip over the bar. On 85 mins Chesham scored through Lawford breaking through unmarked to rifle home. Abingdon still carried on attacking till the end, and in many areas of the pitch were proving equal to Chesham, but defensively Town were inferior. The game ended with plenty of the cold souls applauding what had been thoroughly entertaining fare. Chesham now go on to play Reading(DIV2) in the next round. Town will need to shore up this defence if relegation is not to be realised, there is pleny of effort there, but basic lack of cover where players are left unmarked need to be addressed. Call it lack of concentration or confidence it gives the team a mountain to climb each week.

Team:Jenkins,Rogers,Douglas,Rodney,Hannah,Pierson,Fisher,Charles,Didcock,Wells,Greenaway. Subs:Twine,Bevan. Att: 100

7th January

The games against Chesham in the B&B Snr Cup and Egham in the Vandanel Trophy have been re-arranged for next Tuesday 12th and Thursday 21st respectively.

5th January

As expected tonight's match against Chesham United in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Also Saturday's game at home to Banstead is off due to Banstead's involvement in the FA Vase, meaning we will not play a home game for 6 weeks - perhaps it's to let all the other sides catch up their games in hand on us but it doesn't exactly help the cashflow situation! Next game is now Edgware away on 16th January, they currently lie 7th in the table.

You may have seen on the chat page about Oxford City's programme hut being nicked!! Yes it's true I saw it in the Oxford Mail, I know it's cruel but you can't help but laugh, the thing is though - a) why did they nick it, b? HOW did they nick it - answers please on a postcard!!

2nd January

Yet again defensive errors saw the Abbots crash to defeat against Leighton Town, 8th in the table. Abingdon made a bright start and went close through Ben Border and Reuben Wells before the home side went ahead after 12 minutes, a poor clearance from the defence fell to Gautheir and he scored from close range.

In the second half the Abbots had reasonable claims for a penalty waved away when Ben Border looked to have been pulled down, and to make matters worse Leighton raced to the other end and made it 2-0. However Abingdon continued to press and forced the home keeper into three excellent saves but were caught on the break again as the offside trap failed with 10 minutes left. Plenty of possession but sadly nothing to show for it at the end of the game. Sorry for the brief match report but I had to get it from the Oxford Mail as I was at the Crewe v Oxford Utd FA Cup game on Saturday!

Team:Jenkins,Rogers,Douglas,Rodney,Hannah,Twine,McNamara,Charles,Wells,Didcock,Border. Subs:Greenaway,Wise. Att: 163

Other news - Tuesday's game at home to Chesham Utd in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup looks in doubt due to the heavy rain. I'll post an update either on here or the Chat page as soon as I know more. Also next Saturday's game at home to Banstead looks almost certain to be postponed as Banstead are in the FA Vase and unless their opponents still haven't been decided by then the game will be off. Will we ever play at home again?? PPS I have just seen on another site that Banstead's opponents are now known - Bedlington Terriers won a replay at the weekend so I'm fairly certain this means our game is off.

31st December

You may have noticed I've added a Guestbook facility to the front page where you can just sign to say you've visted, without necessarily having anything to say (as in the Chat page). However, comments are as always more than welcome.

23rd December

I've just heard the game is OFF next Monday due to Hungerford having a replay in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup - I can't quite believe this, I mean I know in theory the B&B takes precedence over league fixtures, but this is XMAS fixtures we're talking about here, not some Tuesday night game away to somewhere miles away. And apparantly the club has just taken delivery of 4 tons of sand to chuck on the pitch to make sure the game went ahead!! This means we're now left with NO games over Xmas at all, whatever happened to the days when you used to play about 5 games in 3 days??

PS There is now a Witney Town FC website - follow the link on the links page to pay it a visit.

22nd December

Marvellous. Mine and Gazza's last day at work before Crimbo, so we'd planned on the game plus a few beers. I'm just out of the door when my brother rings, in amongst the conversation he tells me the game is off. Now this is my brother AKA wind-up merchant so I continue and my wife drops me off next to the ground. Hmmm bit dark looking - I walk on, then Gazza phones me on the mobile - he's on the other side of the river "bit dark over there" he says, and as I turn the corner there is no Kevin or Graham on the gate, no Fred or Ken selling programmes. Yes looks like it's off!! A quick phone call to Rik who's on his death bed confirms a waterlogged pitch. But it hasn't been raining much! - at least not as much as the last few weeks! So, what else to do, well we'll just have to meet in The Stocks, relax in an armchair over a pint of John Smith's instead, then follow on by visiting the Blue Boar, the new bar in Abingdon (Cafe Expresso or whatever) and the Black Swan for some crimbo cheer!!! Shame!!

Just like to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our readers (I've always wanted to say that!!) and please keep reading. Also one bit of news we've been drawn at home to Chesham Utd in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday 5th January.

19th December

A tremendous second-half fightback from 2-0 down earned the Abbots earned them a valuable point at Witham. Witham took the lead after 7 minutes when Kenny Rogers was penalised for obstruction inside the box and they scored from the free-kick. After 20 minutes it was 2-0 and looking bleak when from another free-kick, this time wide on the right the ball was hammered home off the underside of the crossbar.

However Abingdon also missed some good chances in the first half, Ben Border was clean through but the keeper saved and Roger Charles saw his shot go just over.

Second half though and Abingdon were really up for it - after 51 minutes a mix-up between the Witham keeper and a defender allowed Reuben Wells the chance to nip in and fire home, and 5 minutes the later the same player raced through the defence and buried another fine shot into the bottom corner for 2-2. Indeed shortly afterwards Abingdon could have gone ahead when Wells' free-kick was played to Darren McNamara but his tremendous shot hit the angle of post and bar, before Witham themselves hit the post with an amazing long-range overhead kick.

All in all probably a fair result, with Abingdon having to re-organise at the back - Kurt's wife was giving birth and with no Terry Morissey or Mark Tovell, Roger had to drop back into the defence so we missed his midfield running although he did get forward whenever possible.

Team:Jenkins,Charles,Rogers,Rodney,Hannah,Finch,McNamara,Didcock,Wells,Twine,Border. Att: 49

18th December

Colin Fleet has left Abingdon to rejoin Oxford S****y. Nuff said I reckon. On the bright side, Reuben Wells and Tristan Didcock have turned down moves to Witney and Thame respectively.

16th December

A well weakened side went down at high-scoring Harlow. Abingdon were missing 6 players who played in last Saturday's game and it looked like another nightmare was on the cards when Harlow scored in the first minute through Theodosiou. However the Abbots, without Reuben Wells in attack, went close through Ben Border and Lee Keyes, before grabbing an equaliser 5 minutes into the second half when Keyes scored his first goal for the club. However Abingdon were denied a surprise point by 2 goals in the last 13 minute through Nicholson's scrambled effort and a goal from Tony Kelly.

Team:Jenkins,Douglas,Rogers,Hannah,Pierson,Shelton,Charles,Finch,Border,Keyes,Greenaway.

12th December

A result that does neither of us any favours in a game we just HAD to win, but again we played pretty well all in all, scoring straight from the kick off as Reuben went down the right, cut in and laid it back for Julian Price to score inside 30 seconds. We should have really gone for it then but instead Wokingham came back into it and scored after 22 minutes, David Puckett firing home after David Jenkins in goal for Fleety had saved well from Tony Wood. Reuben went close shortly after and then saw his shot beat the keeper but get stuck in the mud. We had Ben Border on loan from Oxford City and he had a good game, along with Ivor Finch in midfield signed from the Combined Services who looked useful, especially in the first half.

The second half was almost an exact repeat of the Letchworth game, we had 95% of the play but never really created anything, Pricey missed a couple of half chances when crosses flashed by him and Reuben again looked strong up front, maybe if Roger hadn't been suspended it could've just made the difference - but at least we didn't lose and whilst 3 points would have been brilliant I guess we're slowly getting some confidence back, and the conditions were awful - it absolutely chucked it down for most of the 2nd half and the pitch was a right old mudbath at the end. Jenkins looked pretty solid in goal in fact the whole defence had quite a good game - ok I know we were playing bottom of the league but if it will help the confidence then fine! The next 2 games are now really important - Wednesday away to Harlow - if we can get anything there at all it will be a massive bonus, then next Saturday away to Witham who are still struggling - we need to get something there without doubt.

Team:Jenkins,Morrissey,Douglas,Hannah,Tovell,Rodney,Finch,McNamara,Wells,J.Price,Border. Att: 117

7th December

Well according to the tiny report in the Oxford Mail we went 3-0 down in a 15 minute spell just after half time, Horsham scoring after 56, 62 and 71 minutes. Roger scored with a volley after 79 minutes. That's about it!! There was also mention of the new management team - as expected Keith Stopps takes over with Roger Charles as assistant. Roger Nichols is general manager and Dougie Graham club coach. Oh yeh and Keith Holmes scored a hat-trick for Thame as they beat Windsor 4-1. At least City lost!

Team:Fleet,Morrissey,Douglas,Hannah,Tovell,Rodney,Charles,Wells,McNamara,Didcock,J.Price,Gills. Subs:Keyes,Pierson. Yes I know there's 12 in the starting line up but that's how the paper gave it - and we still couldn't win!!!!

6th December

Apologies for the delay in updating the site, I've been away for the weekend! Anyway all I know is that we lost 1-3, and I only know that thanks to a phone call to my mate Gazza whilst I was in a pub in the Lake District! I'll add more details tomorrow when I get the Oxford Mail report. The only other news is that Terry Morrissey has joined us on a months loan from City, he might have played yesterday. Also we are due to unveil our new management team on Monday, it's likely to be as now with Roger Nicholls, Keith Stopps and Dougie Graham in charge.

3rd December

I've now added a "Merchandise" page to the site so you can order your ATFC souvenirs! However you can't order online (yet!) - see the Merchandise page for further details.

28th November

A poor first 45 minutes cost Abingdon in this Vase tie, oh well that's Wembley over with for another year. Letchworth are 2 leagues below Abingdon, however they arrived the more keen and showed they were up for it even before they scored the only goal after 7 minutes - John Coley received the ball in an offside looking position but whilst the Town defence stood still he ran on and fired over Colin Fleet into the top of the net.

Abingdon's best chance of the first half fell to Reuben Wells but his point-blank shot was well smothered by keeper Alan Arber. With all respects to this keeper, he was getting on a bit, both in age and waist size but was a good character and sadly for us had far too little to do. Letchworth were well organised at the back and pacey up front, and with the pitch resembling a quagmire we struggled to get the ball wide and far too often became bogged down trying to go through the middle.

The second half saw almost constant Town possession but again not much to show - the best chances fell to Roger Charles after 63 minutes when he was played through only for the keeper to save again, and Reuben went close soon after. Twiney came on and showed some good touches, Lee Keyes came on for the last 5 minutes as we pushed 3 up front, but even though the visitors had one of their midfielders harshly sent off after an innocent looking clash with Roger Charles, and despite pressure right up until the whistle we couldn't break them down, indeed Letchworth could have made it 2 right at the end but shot over an open goal. How depressed at the end to be out of the Vase at the first hurdle for us, whilst the 30 or so visting supporters cheered their team off the pitch. The nightmare continues.........

Team:Fleet,Ferguson,Douglas,Rodney,Hannah,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Wells,J.Price,Didcock. Subs:Twine,Greenaway,Keyes. Att:94

24th November

Well we've seen some bizarre games at Culham Road this season but this one just about topped the lot - 3 penalties, 3 sendings-off and a hatful of goals! Colin Fleet, back in goal for Abingdon after suspension following his recent sending-off was again sent off after only 8 minutes, bringing down a Thame forward. Even though the ball ran loose for Thame to score the referee gave the penalty and sent Fleety off! Needless to say Colin was less than amused. Midfielder Frazer Gills went in goal but was beaten by ex-Town favourite Liam Herbert from the resultant penalty which only just crept inside the post. This was really the beginning of all the bad feeling which followed, Roger Charles and Dennis Gascoyne being booked for a flare-up before Wells went close for Abingdon after a good run but soon after Thame went 2-0 up when Ricky Paul headed home at the far post. However after 25 minutes Town were back in it when Reuben Wells was fouled when shaping to score, and he rammed the penalty home. But within 2 minutes Thame went 3-1 up when another former Abbot Martin Brown volleyed home from an acute angle. Then followed the real turning point of the whole match, in a carbon copy of the Fleet sending off, Darren McNamara ran clear, only to be brought down by Thame keeper Ian Moores as he pushed the ball round him. The ball ran to Kurt Douglas who scored, however the referee had already blown for the penalty and reached for his book again as the keeper faced a certain red. However the linesman had his flag raised and amazingly the referee chose to follow his advice for giving offside for McNamara's apparant pass to Douglas!!!!!!! This really sent the game into chaos and Roger Charles was sent off just minutes later for a foul, soon to be followed by Martin Brown who was shown red for fouling Wells, and all this before half time!!! Half time came with the score at 1-3.

Thame went 4-1 up with a good header from Dave Tregurtha before Abingdon came back to 2-4 with another penalty from Reuben Wells who was fouled again. However in the final 20 minutes Thame completed a comfortable victory as the Town midfield and defence just run out of steam - new signing from Abingdon Keith Holmes got the 5th and I think Ricky Paul got the 6th. Reuben went close just before the end but although a quite amazing game you couldn't help feeling that the referee had ruined it, and not for the first time this season we were left thinking "if only" - if only Fleety hadn't been sent off it could have been so different. Thame certainly didn't look as good as their 5th place suggested and even though we played most of the game with only Reuben up front we caused them a few problems. Scott Hannah played at the back tonight but Lee Keyes didn't figure in the team at all as he was injured.

Team:Fleet,Bevan,Douglas,Rodney,Hannah,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Wells,J.Price,Didcock. Subs:Ferguson,Shelton,Twine. Att:128

PS We've signed Terry Morrissey on loan from Oxford City.

21st November

I didn't take up the chance to go to Sandy Lane for the last time as I was working so I've taken most of this from Tooting's excellent website. Kenny Rogers(!) made his debut at left back, Fleety in goal was suspended and replacement Darren Carpenter had a busy time early on, Tooting were clean through after 5 minutes and scored after 9, Pace heading home after a 25 yard shot came back off the bar. We looked quite good in midfield without creating anything dangerous but Tooting went 2-0 up after 41 minutes when Martin volleyed home from just inside the area. Just before the break Abingdon had their best chance of the match when Lee Keyes headed straight at the goalkeeper.

The second half was only 3 minutes old when Tooting made it 3-0, Kane going on a mazy run before rounding Carpenter and slotting home, before 9 minutes later Martin scoring his second. For Abingdon Reuben Wells had a good shot just wide but unless the Oxford Mail says anything more Abingdon-biased tomorrow this sounds like a pretty comprehensive defeat.

Also the game against Thame Utd on Tuesday is a 7.30 kick-off. Finally I've added some pen-pictures of the players to the site. Sorry about the lack of info this week I've had a mare of a week at work!

Team:Carpenter,Bevan,Rogers,Rodney,J.Price,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Wells,Keyes,Didcock. Subs:Twine. Att:146

19th November

Just to say if you haven't seen it on the chat page yet - Keith Holmes has signed for Thame United (who we play next Tuesday). Haven't heard any news on any managerial decisions yet but I guess Roger Nicholls and Keith Stopps will be in charge until any announcement is made which I reckon could be quite good.

13th November

Well first the main news, I get down the ground and hear that Brian Smith has been sacked as manager - Roger Nicholls and Keith Stopps are in charge. Difficult one this, ok we've taken some bashings this season, but at the start of the season we had virtually no players and Brian came in, got us a side, and lately has signed some good players and it looked as though we were on the up, I still think we are, but I suppose the 6-1 on Tuesday night was the last straw.

Anyway onto the game, quite nice having it on a Friday night - few beers etc, but Holmesy - well 2 quality goals to give us a point which could've been 3 with a bit more luck. Saying that, Chalfont took the lead after 10 minutes, a long ball and some bloke was clean through, Fleety pulled off a tremendous save but Gary Wiltshire buried the rebound in off a defender. After that we looked quite dangerous, Roger Charles in midfield and Keith Bevan at right back both started their first games of the season and made a big difference, and although Reuben wasn't in full flow tonight, playing up front with Holmesy - Scott Hannah wasn't playing, we went close a few times, 35 minutes in and Mark Tovell is brought down going for a one on one but no penalty.

Second half and the Abbots got a deserved equaliser after 55 minutes, Holmesy picked the ball up on the halfway line and set off, it looked to be on for a through ball to Reuben but he kept going before unleashing a tremendous shot from just outside the box which flew into the top of the net. After that it looked like we would go on to win, the midfield was playing well, Tristan Didcock had probably his best game for us, and after 69 minutes another goal of high quality - Roger Charles curled a superb ball into the box, Holmesy just got there before the defender and, with his back to goal somehow flicked it deftly over his head and the keeper for a brilliant goal. However within 2 minutes Chalfont were level when Wiltshire headed his second goal of the game from a free-kick. After that both sides had chances but I thought we just about edged it - still Chalfont are 10th in the league and this result lifts us out of the bottom 3 for now - I reckon the future is bright but how many times have we said that this season?

Team:Fleet,Bevan,Douglas,Rodney,Tovell,Fisher,Didcock,Charles,Holmes,Wells,J.Price. Subs:Gills,Keyes,Twine. Att:153

10th November

We came, full of confidence, 77 hardy souls on a bitterly cold night at Culham Road, hoping to see us build on Saturday's win - we left, bloody freezing after a hiding-and-a-half! In truth Windsor were a good side, especially Dennis Greene up front who scored 5 of the goals, but the damage was done in a bizarre 20 minute spell either side of half time. After a frantic start in which Windsor went close on numerous occasions, Abingdon actually took the lead in the 12th minute from the penalty spot - Reuben Wells made it out of nothing, a tremendous run down the right wing leaving the full back trailing, who ended up bringing him down. Keith Holmes buried the penalty low to the keeper's right. We looked better with Reuben playing up front again instead of midfield, but Windsor always threatened and equalised with another penalty after 35 minutes, a harsh-looking handball decision. Then right on half-time it was 1-2, Greene running on to a bouncing ball and volleying home. Within 2 minutes of the restart it was 1-4, and that was basically it. Barely 15 minutes into the second half it was 1-6, the goals came so thick and fast it's hard barely 45 minutes after the end of the game to remember how they came about! Abingdon brought on all 3 subs, including a welcome return for Roger Charles, and we had some good possession but obviously the game was lost by then, but we couldn't grab anything back despite close shaves from Reuben Wells and Keith Holmes.

Well it's hard to know what to think after this, just when you think we could be turning the corner this happens! Chalfont on Friday at least we should be able to get a few beers in at the same time!!

Team:Fleet,Rodney,Douglas,Tovell,Fisher,Didcock,Holmes,Gills,Hannah,Wells,J.Price. Subs:Bevan,Keyes,Charles

PS Another new signing Gary Bastable but he didn't figure tonight. Also we've been drawn at home to Egham or Hungerford in the Vandanel Trophy, whatever that is!

9th November

7th November

Get this, this is the headline I've been waiting to write all season - "Abingdon stage a storming comeback from 2-0 down in the last 15 minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat!" - what a finish as goals by Douglas(75), Wells(77) and Didcock(85) gave us our first home win of the season. After the thrills of last Saturday this is getting almost too much to bear!! It's a vital win though as defeat would have left us stranded in the bottom 3, Horsham being only 2 places above us. The game started with the bizarre sight of Mr Graham Walker, turnstile operator, running the line as the ref had broken down on his way and didn't arrive until half time so one of the linesmen had to take over! New signing from the Army Scott Hannah started up front and looked pretty useful, the opening period we looked quite good, Mark Tovell nearly scoring with a header (doesn't that happen every game?) before Hannah was put through but crashed his shot against the post. Half time 0-0 which is pretty good for us at the moment!

Second half though we looked back to normal, just couldn't get going and 5 minutes in Horsham took the lead with a far post header from a left wing cross. A few minutes later and it was 0-2 with a shot from just outside the box somehow finding it's way into the bottom corner. Depression started to sink in, looked like we'd had it, I actually said to Gazza "can you ever imagine us scoring 2 goals", then amazingly within a matter of minutes we had!!! First from a corner with 15 minutes to go Mark Tovell headed goalwards but it was kicked off the line (even though it looked over), from the resultant melee Julian Price crossed and Kurt Douglas headed in to continue his habit of scoring against Horsham. 2 minutes later and we were level thanks to a tremendous goal from Reuben Wells. Picking the ball up some 25 yards out he burst between 2 defenders, kept his balance and blasted the ball into the corner of the net, oh how we went beserk! Lee Keyes then came on for Holmesy and with 5 minutes to go Keyes it was who was was fouled 25 yards out, cue Tristan Didcock. After his marvellous goal from roughly the same position last week it was odds-on to end up in the car park this week but, just as last week, he curled it over the wall and into the net for 3-2. Now we were in dreamland! Even their keeper commented "great goal wannit"! Keyes then nearly caught Horsham on the break a couple of times as they pushed forward for an equaliser. Keith Bevan came on for Julian Price and showed some good touches, but for some reason the ref played 7 minutes of stoppage time, just to make us suffer no doubt, but despite a couple of close shaves we held on and celebrated madly at the final whistle. So, the first home 3 points of the season, the question is can we build on it as we have 2 more home games before next week (Tuesday and Friday) - on this evidence the front players again looked more than useful, if we can support them more we could be on the up at last!

Team:Fleet,Ferguson,Douglas,Tovell,Rodney,Didcock,J.Price,Gills,Hannah,Holmes,Wells. Subs:Bevan,Keyes

PS It's the FA Vase draw on Monday when we come in! Apparantly we're in the Eastern section numbered 44! In the same section as Abingdon Utd!!! but we could just as easily get Great Yarmouth, lovely by the seaside in November!!!

Not much going on so I've added a couple of piccies to the piccies page, an interesting one from 1960, compare Culham Road to how it now looks! I'll try and put a few more up sometime without losing too much of my web-space allowance!

What a bizarre game, even the fact the game was on was bizarre after another 24 hours of pissing rain. Witham didn't arrive until about 15 minutes before kick-off for this game that we just had to win this game but 3 sendings off in the first half including Fleety in goal just made the game a lottery. We started off pretty well, Mark Tovell missed with a free header early on, they had a couple of near misses, before on 35 minutes one of their players was clean through, Fleety came out, the guy pushed the ball one side and then fell over Fleety. The ref sent Fleety off - from where I was stood (at the other end) it didn't look like he caught him and judging by the Keeper's reaction when he left the field I think he agreed! Still, none of your mamby-pamby sub keepers on the bench here though - Kurt Douglas from left back went in goal. From the resultant free kick Kurt dived through the mud but the ball somehow squirmed under him and into the net for 0-1. Just before half time their number 9 was involved in a tussle with Mark Tovell, the number 9 spat at Tovell who promptly gave him a right hook and both were sent off!! There was a bit of argy-bargy in the dressing rooms as they left the pitch, probably Fleety thinking it was the half time tea arriving!

Second half we really looked up for it, Reuben Wells was having a stormer up front and against the odds we won a penalty when Wells was brought down. Keith Holmes tucked it to the keeper's right for 1-1. Kurt then made a couple of good punches (of the ball!) before to confuse the issue further, rugby player Andy Fleming came on and took over in goal, Fraser Gills came off, Kurt went back to left back, and Lee Keyes replaced Darren McNamara. The game then almost reached farcical proportions as twice within a couple of minutes Witham had clear shots on goal but both times they struck the same post! It's that horrible feeling when playing with a sub goalie that you think any shot or cross is going to go in, and it nearly did I can tell you! But to our credit we still looked good as well and for a while you actually thought we could win it, this possibility looked on the cards when more good work by Reuben led to him being brought down just outside the box and Tristan Didcock curled a superb free kick over the wall and into the top corner to put us 2-1 up with barely 20 minutes left. However then things started to go wrong - a cross by Witham was dropped by Fleming leaving a simple tap-in which was soon followed by another fumble and the ball squirmed into the net again for 2-3. Despite late pressure the Abbots couldn't salvage a point, and you have to think luck definitely isn't on our side this season - if Fleety had stayed on you could say we'd have won 2-0, and after the win at Met Police last Saturday we've lost 6 points which we should have really taken. You had to feel sorry for us though - at the end Holmesy was limping badly after giving his all, as did Reuben, and the defence, already without Mick McLennon and Stuart Fisher then having Fleety and centre-back Tovell sent off did pretty well. Where on earth will it all end??

Team:Fleet,Ferguson,Douglas,Rodney,Tovell,Didcock,J.Price,Gills,Holmes,Wells,McNamara. Subs:Fleming,Keyes

Lovely day for it - howling gales, driving rain, me nursing a stinking hangover, Gazza with me had been at work all night, travelled back from Essex for a few hours kip before setting off down the M40 again, but there we are our second win of the season thanks to debutant Ruben Wells' superb 76th minute volley after a great cross by Dean Ferguson. Great playing surface there although on the tortuous hour and a half journey we never thought it would be on, phoning didn't produce an answer which was worrying but we realised why when we got there as there were less than 50 people there!

Anyway onto the game, the first 10-15 minutes the ball was splashing about in puddles everywhere but we still created chances, Reuben Wells missing the best when somehow firing over the bar from 2 yards out in front of an open goal after a knock down by Cecil Rodney. Julian Price headed just wide before another great run by Wells saw his shot deflected away. He looks well useful, strong and puts himself about. Mick McLennon and Mark Tovell at the back had good games as well. 2nd half was a bit quiet, to be honest it looked as though it was going to be 0-0 or we'd lose it 1-0 as usual but then Ferguson with virtually his first touch after coming on supplied the cross for Wells to open the scoring, a great volley into the top corner from 8 yards. After that the game went beserk, Lee Keyes came on for his debut and looked useful, Darren McNamara had 2 great chances to wrap it up, Fraser Gills went close and the Police had a couple of near misses too, there were probably more chances in the last 5 minutes than the whole of the match up till then. The other new signing Andy Fleming had a pretty quiet game but Tristan Didcock is starting to settle in and Fleety made his standard couple of great saves. I remember though sitting there in the last minute, they had a free kick just outside the box, the rain was absolutely pissing it down big time, thinking if they score this will be the worst day ever! Fleety saved it, the ref blew up and we danced off into the rain!! Home by 6.15 too so can't be bad. Bracknell at home on Tuesday night, they lost 4-0 at home to Edgware today and are only just above us in the table so if we can do them we'll be on our way - this will be the first of 5 consecutive home games - see Fixtures for re-arrangements!

Team:Fleet,Rodney,Douglas,Tovell,McLennon,J.Price,Didcock,Fleming,Holmes,Wells,McNamara. Subs:Gills,Ferguson,Keyes

We could have 3 new faces in the side tomorrow, striker Lee Keyes signed from Witney the other week is down to play, along with Reuben Wells (striker) signed from Henley Town and Andy Fleming (midfield) who apparantly plays Rugby for St.Helens and has played for Bishops Stortford! Methinks we could also do with another defender or 2.......

The match at home to Chalfont St Peter has been brought forward a day to FRIDAY 13th November

Since we haven't had much news for a few days have included this report of the reserves' game last night, thanks to Keith Bevan (who actually played in the game!) for supplying it.....

Abingdon started quite slowly and City dominated the first twenty minutes. They had an injury to one of their players in the first few minutes and Ian Concanon came on. He basically ran the show in the first twenty and they took the lead when they caught our two centre backs very flat with a chip over the top. They then scored a second and seemed to sit back a bit. We then went at them and went close through Dan Cleevely and Dean Greenaway. Then we scored through Julian Price with a shot from the right hand edge of the box which whistled into the top left. Their keeper then tried rolling the ball to John Ward at right back but it was intercepted by Lee Nichols who laid the ball to Dean Greenaway and with the keeper off his line he chipped a ball onto the bar. Julian Price was easily going to score but was taken down by their left back. Dean Greenaway converted the penalty. We were buzzing by then and I honestly thought we were going to get a result. We came out after half time and dominated for the first ten minutes with Gary Price and Julian Price both heading wide from 8 yards. We then scored again through Julian Price when a defensive mix up on the edge of their box ended with the ball at his feet. He hammered the ball into the bottom left corner. From there on it was all City and Concanon scored approximately 5 minutes later. They then just took us apart after our heads went and ended up knocking another 4 past us.

Also there was a friendly against Milton United last night which we lost 2-4.

Finally I understand Jermaine McSporran (Oxford City) isn't going to be signed by Arsenal which is a shame as the fee was reported to be £200,000 and I understand we get 35%........though he's now gone on a week's trial at West Ham.

I've now set up a chat page (see the home page menu buttons) where you can all post anything at all to. With the current situation at Culham Road there should be plenty to talk about!!!

After a while you just run out of things to say don't you. We did play well in the first half, Mick McLennon made his debut at the back, signed from Carterton, we've also signed Lee Keyes, a 19 year old from Witney but he's not yet fit. Anyway Bedford took the lead after 11 minutes (the longest we've held out for a while!) with a bit of a looper of a cross shot. After that we were unlucky not to go in at half time at least level - Keith Holmes went on a superb Ricky Villa type run but the keeper was up to more than Joe Corrigan, a minute later his shot skimmed the post. Second half though and we never really got going, they scored ater 60 and 88 minutes, both after defensive lapses(again). Crowd was 137 but I would say probably more than half came from Bedford. All in all it's not looking good, I know Bedford were 6th and unbeaten this season, and we've played a lot of the top sides but we need to get some results going and tighten up the defence. Holmesy looked good up front, specially first half but his partner Martin McMahon never really had a sniff. Darren McNamara had a couple of half chances blocked and Fleety played well again, Micky Tighe was on the bench for some reason. Next game at home to Windsor this Saturday is OFF as they are still in the FA Cup so another 11 days before we do battle again. Roger Charles is still a couple of weeks away from playing after his cartliage op.

Team:Fleet,Rodney,Douglas,Tovell,McLennon,Didcock,Ferguson,Gills,Holmes,McMahon,McNamara. Subs:Tighe

Another defensive nightmare, and we started so brightly, Holmesy hit the post and had another effort well saved before Banstead took the lead after 12 minutes after a bit of a scramble. 2-0 10 minutes later when Steve Hall nipped in behind Kurt to head over Fleety. Mark Tovell pulled one back on the hour following a corner and for a while it looked like we might snatch a point, however after Tovell went off with a nasty leg injury Banstead scored again and wrapped it up after 80 minutes after another mix up at the back. The attendance was 35, oh I'm so glad I didn't go, it sounds almost as bad as the last time I saw us play there - 3-0 up and drew 3-3! Bedford at home tomorrow night and they're 6th so another toughy......

Team:Fleet,Ferguson,Tighe,Douglas,J.Price,McMahon,McNamara,Didcock,Holmes,Tovell,Gills,McNamara. Subs:Deacon,Jones

The reserves also lost, 8-3 at Newbury although the keeper (Jenkins?) had to go off injured when it was 1-1 after landing on a fire hydrant at the back of the goal and Lee Nichols took over in goal! It can only get better (but we've been saying that all season!!!)

Just a couple of snippets, last year's hero Jermaine McSporran, currently at Oxford Shitty, is spending a week on trial at Arsenal. He made his debut for the reserves v Charlton and SCORED 2 in the Arse's 3-1 win!!!!!! Also Banbury Utd won 1-0 at Epsom in the FA Cup 2nd Qual replay to set up a home tie against Enfield, the goalscorer? Steve Jenkins! Oh how we could do with them now!

Look, there's something wrong here, we should've won this game, honest! 5 minutes before kick-off Wivenhoe arrived! and the game kicked off 10 minutes later, a further 4 minutes and we were 2-0 down to 2 defensive mares. But after that we played well, had loads of chances but it just wasn't our night. Martin McMahon had a goal disallowed for offside when running Holmesy's header into the net (it was going in anyway) before Wivenhoe went 3-0 up just before half-time. Micky Tighe pulled one back at the start of the 2nd half, lashing the ball high into the net from 8 yards from Kurt Douglas' cross-shot and we really went for it before being caught on the break for 4-1. Julian Price got another back after the keeper could only parry McMahon's shot and Darren McNamara clipped the ball over the keeper and over the line but the linesman said no goal! Add to that Price's first half header and a few other near ones and it was closer than 4-2, ok Wivenhoe did miss a late penalty which came back off the inside of the post but that was justice!

PS Our game at Harlow on Saturday is off as they are still in the FA Cup.

Team:Fleet,Didcock,Douglas,Tovell,Rodney,Gills,Tighe,McMahon,Holmes,J.Price,McNamara.

Well another defeat but only 3-2 this time - and we played pretty well by all accounts, Darren McNamara missed an early chance before Hertford scored after 20 minutes from a near post corner, 10 minutes later it was 2-0 when Darren Carpenter in the Town goal punched clear a corner only to see it returned with interest from the edge of the box into the top corner. Second half though and 50 minutes saw Keith Holmes finish superbly after being put through to make it 2-1, before McMahon and Tighe came close to equalising. Hertford though broke away and scored with a 25-yarder before Holmesy got one back from the penalty spot in the last couple of minutes after Martin McMahon was brought down.

Team:Carpenter,Didcock,Douglas,Rodney,Tovell,McMahon,McNamara,Tighe,Holmes,J.Price,Gills. Subs:Ferguson,Twine,Jones

Roger Charles is out for 5-6 weeks after undergoing a cartliage operation. For tomorrow's game at Hertford Mark Tovell and Keith Holmes are back after flu, Fraser Gills is back from holiday and with Fleety still out reserve team keeper Darren Carpenter plays in goal.

Just what the hell is going on - good decision of mine not to go methinks. Fleety was injured so couldn't play in goal meaning Jonathan Beams (youth team keeper) played - apparantly he didn't do too bad but the defence was dreadful. Holmesy was out injured too. It was 5-0 at half time, at least one small consolation in the Abbot's scoring the best goal of the night - a 30 yarder from Micky Tighe into the top corner. This has all the feelings of last season and worse - Marlow had lost 4 out of 4 before this game as well !!!!!

Team:Beams,Douglas,Harwood,Jones,Rodney,McMahon,McNamara,Tighe,Twine,Price,Didcock. Subs:Ferguson

Town's inability to take their chances early in the game proved their downfall, although Fleety picked up an early injury. Keith Holmes and Martin McMahon went close early on before Northwood scored after 15 minutes. We should have equalised after 25 when in a mad scramble 4 shots were blocked before being hacked away. 3-0 down at the break we pushed forward and Micky Tighe and McMahon again went close but sloppy defending cost us dear, big game now at Marlow tomorrow night.

Team:Fleet,Tighe,Douglas,Harwood,Rodney,Tovell,Didcock,McNamara,Holmes,McMahon,Jones. Subs:J.Price,Ferguson,Twine

YES YES YES!!! Town's first league win of the season - get in there!!! Now we're cooking!

We did however take a hell of a hammering and should have been sunk without trace before Darren McNamara popped up on the hour to sidefoot home Micky Tighe's cross. Fleety performed aboslute heroics, one save from a deflected free-kick being out of this world. This culminated after 75 minutes when Harwood was sent off for handling on the line but Colin dived low to his left to save the resulting penalty. Should've been stuffed but sneaked it 1-0, what a shame eh especially after all the times we've had it done to us!

Team:Fleet,Tighe,Douglas,Harwood,Rodney,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,McMahon,Didcock. Subs:J.Price

P.S. Next Saturday's game at home to Horsham has been postponed as they are still in the FA Cup so we are now away to Northwood, this has been brought forward from a Tuesday night in November!

Probably Town's best performance of the season but still lost, out of the Cup again and no goals to show, when you're down you certainly are down, but the Abbot's played really well against their Premier League opponents, the first 10 minutes was totally end to end with Micky Tighe flashing a shot across the face of the goal for Abingdon. Slough then pressed hard and scored after 41 minutes, ex-Abbot Eddie Denton turning in a low shot at the far post, Eddie who will always have a place in Abingdon fan's hearts after his last minute equaliser at Oxford City 3 years ago - cheers Eddie!! In the second half Abingdon stepped up the pace and dominated for long periods, the closest chance fell to Darren McNamara who was fouled as he shot from 8 yards and it was kicked off the line - didn't Oxford get a penalty for that on Sunday? Frazer Gills wellied a shot just wide soon after but it just wasn't our night - again! Things are definitely looking up though - the last 2 games we've played well and although still not winning it's surely only a matter of time??? Isn't it? Wokingham away on Saturday - I have a ticket for Oxford v Ipswich which of course means the Abbots will get their first League win of the season since I won't be there....watch this space to find out. Cheers for all reading, the site seems to be quite popular now including a supporter from Australia - g'day mate!

Team:Fleet,Tighe,Douglas,Rodney,Tovell,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,McMahon,Didcock. Subs:J.Price

Well that's it for another year, we're out of the Cup before the season has hardly started! In truth most Abbots supporters were expecting a bit of a stuffing here what with the new side etc, however with a bit more luck I reckon we could easily have got something from the game. We started off pretty well and if Keith Holmes had got on the end of a cross early on it could've been oh so different. As it was the Magpies took the lead in the 19th minute, Fleety dived low to save a shot only for Banton following up to bundle the rebound over the line.

The start of the 2nd half though was the killer, the Abbots really went for it and in the first 5 minutes Holmes and Micky Tighe both had point blank efforts well saved, this was the turning point of course and the visitors virtually sealed the tie with 15 minutes left, again a rebound back off the post. Finally in the 88th minute to seal our luck a hopeful shot was deflected with Fleety left stranded. So that's it, it has to be said Maidenhead missed a few but having said that 3-0 was a bit harsh. Maybe next year! City won 4-1 at Molesey too! Mind you the reserves won 5-1 at Camberley - oh how we could do with some goals - reports suggest Keith Holmes will join Carterton this week too....... finally cheers to the UniqueAir boys who came down and added their support - Bertie, Timmy, Robbie, Alan and Steve. The day for us all was complete when we legged it up the road at full-time to get in the Stocks for the England game.....say no more!!

Team:Fleet,Tighe,Douglas,Jones,Rodney,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,McMahon,Fry. Subs:Twine,Beams

Inches away from our first 3 points of the season - Frazer Gills curling shot from 25 yards came back off the post with 5 minutes to go, and for all Abbott's hard work and possession there was still not a League goal to show for it. Barking had 10 minutes in the 2nd half where Fleety made 2 good saves but if anyone was going to win it was Abingdon, having said that Gills rasping drive in the first half was the only other real time the keeper was called into action, tipping it over the bar. At least we have a point, and we looked a lot better today than in the opening 2 league games. Cecil Rodney played at the back and in midfield Tristan Didcock from Witney made his debut. Mr Woodley from City was also there - I wouldn't have thought there was anyone left at Abingdon he wanted to nick......

Team:Fleet,Gills,Douglas,Harwood,Rodney,Didcock,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,Tighe,McMahon. Subs:Twine

Nice draw in the League Cup - home to Slough Town, Tuesday 8th September

Mare of a result, Fleety performed heroics but 2 goals in a minute after 30 and 31 (Harwood own goal and Dave Butler(!!!!) made it an uphill struggle. Richard Twine on as sub came closest for the Abbotts with a free kick but a header from Libird made it 3-0 and we go into the game with Barking today still pointless and goalless in the League - it can only get better?

Team:Fleet,Tighe,Douglas,Harwood,Tovell,McCann,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,Rodney,Gills. Subs:Twine,Fry,Chapman

Tonight the Abbotts came from a goal down to win through to the next round of this prestigious cup. After our dodgy start on Saturday it looked as though it was going to be a long hard season when Epsom scored after 5 minutes after Abingdon failed to clear the ball from a corner. It has to be said though that the Abbotts did play pretty well after that and were a bit unlucky to go in still behind.

The first 15 minutes of the second half though saw Abingdon bag their first goals of the season, and a place in the next round. First Keith Holmes looped a header into the net after a cross from the left, followed shortly by Martin McMahon superbly heading in Darren McNamara's cross shot. We had chances to sew it up with Cecil Rodney scooping over from 6 yards, but the last 10 minutes saw some frantic rearguard action as Fleety came to the rescue more than once.

Just before the end Epsom were reduced to 10 men after the 11 was sent off for stamping on McMahon, this combined with both the victory and the fact that Epsom were playing in Oxford City's colours, made it a night to remember at Culham Road!! Crowd wasn't brilliant (about 87, including 3 from Epsom) but the usual regulars were there - me, Gazza, Dave Butler, Rik, BFK etc, nice to see Andy Molden as well.

Team:Fleet,Tighe,Douglas,Harwood,Tovell,Gills,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,Rodney,McMahon.

Nice to see Kurt Douglas back again too, steaming down the left, just like the good old days! Ah well, roll on Hemel Hempstead!

The Abbotts paraded their smart new kit and with only 4 players remaining from last season it was always going to be hard going at the start of this season. Two first half goals from the visitors cinched the points, after a bright start from Town. Julian Price and Keith Holmes worked hard up front but the Edgware defence always looked under control, indeed it was not until the 88th minute that Town had their first shot goal, a thumping drive from Micky Tighe which the keeper turned over the bar. All 3 subs got a game as Town pushed for something back late in the game but Fleety also made a couple of good saves at the other end.

Epsom & Ewell at home on Tuesday, League Cup, we ought to be able to turn them over and if so it should give us confidence as although Edgware looked a good side we need to start getting some results together to give the new side some confidence.

At least with new manager Brian Smith barking instructions from the sidelines Nick Quail won't feel like he's the only one shouting! Oh yes nearly forgot a special mention for the Edgware trainer(ess) who at one point had to run a good 50 yards to attend to a player, a sight to behold!

Team:Fleet,Gills,G.Price,Harwood,Tovell,McMahon,McNamara,Charles,Holmes,J.Price,Shelton. Subs:Tighe,Fry,Chapman