Premier Division
Shortwood United 3 Abingdon United 2
Saturday, 16 November 2002
Bad luck, missed chances and opponents who took their chances well cost Abingdon this game that they dominated for long periods. The home side defended in numbers making it hard for the visitors to get many clear-cut opportunities.
After five minutes Abingdon were denied as a defender was robbed but the home keeper flung himself down and the ball cannoned off his legs, the ball was then fired past him but a defender had got on the line and chested it out. The follow up hit the angle of bar and post and went out. The home side relied on the quick counter and Carl Wilkins came to their rescue on 25 minutes as he dived and with outstretched arm took the ball of the attackers toes. United immediately went upfield and Chris Hooper grazed the post with his effort. Shortwood then went straight at Abingdon and Cole was on the end of a head on to chip over the visitor?s stopper. The lead lasted 10 minutes when Steve Thompson laid the ball into the path of Frankie Dorrian who unleashed an unstoppable shot that whizzed past the home keeper. Abingdon were all over their opponents with Hooper firing just wide again and Andy Parsons shot hitting the shins of the keeper. A cross from Pete Moss skidded across the goalmouth with two attackers getting too slight a touch to put the ball away.
Half Time: 1-1.
The second period started with much of the same. United had an overhead kick tipped over and immediately after a Pete Moss drive getting the same treatment. The game turned on the 64th minute when Szwejkoski broke clear and chipped the advancing Wilkins but worse was to follow. Before United could recover they were a further goal down when Blythe cracked the ball home as it ran to him as it bounced between players on the edge of the area. So Abingdon put on more pressure and had enough opportunities to still win but Moss fired over with a good opening and Dorrian?s effort inches outside the post. They pulled a goal back with five minutes left when Andy Marriott headed a Darren Beckett corner into the net.
Abingdon are still scoring goals but letting too many in at the moment and will be hoping their injured players will be back as soon a possible to put their campaign back on track.
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