BackTue 17 Sep 2019
Abingdon United
First Team
2
0
Four minute United double does the damage
John Anderson18 Sep 2019 - 13:01
Three more debuts
In the first match since Dave Lynch’s departure, Joint Caretaker-Managers Jez Hodges and Ian Lancaster made a few changes to the line-up. The game ended with three more players making their 1st XI debuts. Pawel Kotwica retuned up front for the first time this campaign, and Ben Hodges played for the first time in over two years, being dual-registered with Ascot United of The Combined Counties League. Oskar Esplund-Evans made his debut at right back, and Bailey Page switched to partner Ben Booker in central defence. The Greens had the better of the first half, but Tom Bryant had to be alert and got down well on two occasions when United outmanoeuvred the visitors’ defence. HT 0-0
On 54 minutes Hodges made an interception 25 yards out and carved out a good run deep into the home penalty-area. But the ‘keeper came out smartly and blocked his effort. A needless corner given away instead of conceding a throw, led to United taking the lead on the hour. The right-wing corner was headed in through a crowd of players from about 12 yards out. Any hopes of a Holmer comeback were virtually ended within another four minutes. Losing the ball in midfield, the defence failed to get a challenge in. The ball was tucked low just inside the post with a snap shot from well outside the box. The Greens tried hard to get back into the game with first appearances for Matt Hatt and Kai Morgan, along with Harrison Holbrook making it five for the season so far. Alex Rice looked the most likely to provide a breakthrough, but was thwarted at the near post after good work on the right. The same problems in making and taking chances up front seem to persist for Holmer. The good thing to come out of the result is that they don’t have to rely on the luck of the draw to avoid an away game at the far frontier of the known world in the back of beyond, somewhere westward.
Team: Bryant, Esplund-Evans, Martin Lancaster, Matt Wooster ©, Page, Booker, Rice, Hodges, Kotwica, Alex Colverd, Adam Riley.
Substitutes Used: Holbrook, Hatt, & Morgan.
Substitutes Not Used: Liam Tyler, & Oscar Harrison.
On 54 minutes Hodges made an interception 25 yards out and carved out a good run deep into the home penalty-area. But the ‘keeper came out smartly and blocked his effort. A needless corner given away instead of conceding a throw, led to United taking the lead on the hour. The right-wing corner was headed in through a crowd of players from about 12 yards out. Any hopes of a Holmer comeback were virtually ended within another four minutes. Losing the ball in midfield, the defence failed to get a challenge in. The ball was tucked low just inside the post with a snap shot from well outside the box. The Greens tried hard to get back into the game with first appearances for Matt Hatt and Kai Morgan, along with Harrison Holbrook making it five for the season so far. Alex Rice looked the most likely to provide a breakthrough, but was thwarted at the near post after good work on the right. The same problems in making and taking chances up front seem to persist for Holmer. The good thing to come out of the result is that they don’t have to rely on the luck of the draw to avoid an away game at the far frontier of the known world in the back of beyond, somewhere westward.
Team: Bryant, Esplund-Evans, Martin Lancaster, Matt Wooster ©, Page, Booker, Rice, Hodges, Kotwica, Alex Colverd, Adam Riley.
Substitutes Used: Holbrook, Hatt, & Morgan.
Substitutes Not Used: Liam Tyler, & Oscar Harrison.
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