United Getting The Winning Habit

It was a bit of a last minute decision to get to a game on Sunday. Luckily, Kidlington were at home to Abingdon Development and, only being 20 minutes away, it was close enough to make. Thanks to the Kidlington media admin who sent over both team sheets prior to the game. Very much appreciated.
Prior to kick off Abingdon sat top of the table, level on points with Oxford City Development, who had played a game more. Just three points back were both Denham United and Tilehurst Panthers, both of whom had games in hand. Kidlington, meanwhile, were second from bottom having collected just a solitary point from their opening four games and, with the teams below and directly above both having games in hand, they needed points on the board as soon as possible. So, both teams were in need of a win for different reasons. Add to that the fact that the clubs are only separated by a 14 mile stretch of the A34, and you have the makings of a good local derby. Last season the game ended 1-1 thanks to goals from Kiera Isaac and Lorena Catalan. Kidlington also won 3-2 at The Northcourt last term as well as doing the double the previous season, meaning that Abingdon had never beaten their local rivals since joining the league in 2023.

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Courtney Sumner scores from the spot

​Kicking away from the clubhouse in the first-half, the Greens made a lively start to the game with Julia Rushmere leading the line, Kiera Isaac on one flank and Emily Keal the other, leaving first-half captain Courtney Sumner to float in the 10 position. Within six minutes Kidlington were awarded a penalty when Kiera Isaac was clipped in side the box. Courtney Sumner stepped to convert from the spot. 1-0
Of course, Abingdon are not top of the league for no reason and, after going behind, they almost immediately stepped up their game. Chloe Forrester used her pace to make the break up the right. Her cross caused all sorts of problems for Kidlington before being cleared for a corner which was eventually poked over the bar by Frida Ives.
Kidlington were now being restricted to attempts from further out, typified by Julia Rushmere's strike from 25 yards that didn't trouble Maisie Moore in the United goal. 
Twenty minutes in, Abingdon drew level when former Milton United player, April England, won a physical battle out on the right before squaring the ball into the path of Beth Hawtin, who had the relatively simple task of prodding the ball home from 10 yards. 1-1
Despite losing Cloe Woodward to injury, Kidlington weren't going to allow Abingdon to have everything their own way and came close to edging in front again after 26 minutes. Rushmere delivering an inch-perfect cross for Kiera Isaac, whose glancing header had Moore worried as it dropped just wide of her right-hand post.
Frida Ives then let loose from 30 yards for Abingdon, stepping into midfield to collect a clearance, she took aim and had a dip. A good strike that never really threatened Emily Murphy's goal. However, the Kidlington stopper was called into action a few minutes later blocking well from April England's effort.
Even with an additional five minutes added for Woodward's injury, neither team could muster a breakthrough before the half-time whistle blew.

HT Kidlington Youth 1 Abingdon United Development 1. Good half of football. Kidlington giving as good as they got from their high-flying visitors. Both sides were being driven on by their respective captains, Courtney Sumner for Kidlington and Beth Hawtin for Abingdon, both of whom were giving excellent displays of midfield play. Although, with club captain Beth Dunbavin coming on, Sumner would not have the armband in the second half.

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Abingdon press for goals

​Almost fifteen minutes of the second half had been played before the next serious goalmouth incident and, when it came, it was the visitors who almost profited. Ellie Owen reacted quickest to a loose backpass and, although Emily Murphy was quick off her line, the ball squirmed out of the challenge, falling to Beth Hawtin. Abingdon's captain had a split-second to react, poking the ball goalwards only to see if roll agonisingly wide of the post.
Just past the hour, it was Kidlington's turn to come close. Sara Pinna's free-kick, delivered into the perfect spot, was met by the head of Kiera Isaac, but with Maisie Moore scrambling, the ball fell narrowly wide of the post.
Two minutes later Abingdon substitute Anaya Grey produced the pass of the match, completely dissecting the Kidlington defence with a sweeping diagonal ball into the path of Jessica Exell. The former Milton player stroked the ball calmly past the advancing Murphy to giver side the lead. 1-2
The turnaround was complete but Kidlington heads did not drop. With 15 minutes remaining Abingdon were grateful o defender Rebecca Bostock, heading clear after Courtney Sumner had sent a header towards the far post. Then, with 10 minutes remaining, a double incident in the visitor's penalty area. Firstly, following a corner, all-action United midfielder Eva Georgievska stayed down after a collision in the box. The ball had been cleared but Liv Thacker latched onto it, unleashing a fizzing effort from 30 yards that looked destined for the top corner until Maisie Moore flew across her goal and tipped the ball over. Great strike and great save.
The game was immediately stopped so that Georgievska could receive attention. With the physio holding her neck steady, things didn't look good. Eventually she was stretchered off. Let's hope the injury is not as serious as it looked and that the stabilising of her neck was purely precautionary. Up to that point, the diminutive midfielder had given a master class in the role of defensive midfielder. Snapping into tackles and generally bossing things. Wishing her a speedy and full recovery.
After the restart Kidlington continued to push and only a goal-line clearance from Isabel Hughes prevented them from equalising in the 86th minute. They were, however, open to the counter-attack and almost conceded a third in the 90th minute. Kidlington keeper Emily Murphy also picked up a knock in the scramble, needing a few minutes of attention before she could continue. All in all the referee added 10 minutes of injury time, but even that was not enough for Kidlington to find the all-important goal.

FT Kidlington Youth 1 Abingdon United Development 2. A close encounter decided by the odd goal in three. The result sees Abingdon retain their position at the top of the table, three points clear having two more than second placed Denham and one more than Tilehurst. Kidlington stay in the bottom two and are still after their first league win of the season. The plus point for the Greens is that they pushed the leaders all the way in this game and didn't look like a team at the foot of the table.
Next weekend, Kidlington have a break from the league as they take on Thames Valley side East Oxford in the Oxfordshire Women's Cup. Abingdon travel to Chesham in a league encounter.

Kidlington Youth: 1.Murphy, 3.Antonen, 4.Owen, 8.Woodward, 17.Pinna, 18.Thacker, 23.Chewings, 16.Sumner(c), 9.Isaac, 6.Keal, 10.J.Rushmere. Subs: 2.Cotton, 5.Dunbabin, 27.Ward, 11.I.Rushmere, 15.Haynes

Abingdon United Development: 1.Moore, 2.Hughes, 3.Moor, 18.Ives, 6.Botock, 7.Catalan, 22.Georgievska, 8.Hawtin, 9.England, 21.Forrester, 15.Ward. Subs: 17.Grey, 10.Owen, 19.Burke, 23.Peart, 11.Exell

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Isabel Hughes(2) about to clear a late effort off the line