Abingdon Cup Run Ended - Abingdon United vs. Dorchester Town

Clouds over Northcourt Road

The FA Cup returned after a short break this weekend and I travelled to Berkshire in hope of seeing of a cup shock. The match was between Abingdon United of the Hellenic Premier Division and Dorchester Town who play the Southern League Premier Division. The Magpies were relegated from the Conference South last season and had made an indifferent start in the Southern League, winning three of their ten league games this season. Abingdon had made a worse start to their league campaign and had only won once in the league this season. Their form in cup competitions was a different matter however. Before the game, they were unbeaten in six cup games that they played already this season. The only time I'd seen either team play previously was when I saw Dorchester play at Braintree Town in the Conference South several years ago. 

Kick off at Northcourt Road

Early in the game, the Dorchester keeper has to be alert to claim a headed effort following a good ball in to the box. It is then Dorchester's turn to have an early chance as a snap shot from a corner kick is tipped over the bar. Abingdon have a good break and the Dorchester defender does well to hack the cross to safety. The Dorchester winger then breaks menacingly in to the area but his shot from the corner of the area goes in to the side netting. The visitors are now well on top and they come close when a corner kick is headed just over. They have a better chance shortly afterwards but the forward drags his effort wide when clean through. Abingdon have a break of their own and unfortunately for the hosts, the effort is straight at the goalie. Dorchester have the last meaningful attack of the half which breaks down when the forward is robbed on the edge of the area.

Dorchester go close in the first half

Abingdon get in to a good position early in the second half but the cross in to the box is a poor one. They get in to another decent area but this time the ball is blasted high and wide. Dorchester have their first real chance when the forward gets to the byline and it takes a brilliant block by the Abingdon defender to save a certain goal. The visitors however do not have to wait for the opening goal. It comes as the right winger is allowed to cut inside and this enables him to curl an effort past the Abingdon keeper to put his side one up. Abingdon come close to equalising straight away as Dorchester fail to deal with a corner and the keeper has to tip a rasping shot over the bar. Dorchester seal the win with a penalty fifteen minutes from time. The keeper fouls the forward and the penalty is buried to the keepers left. Abingdon have a chance for a late consolation but the forward is forced off the ball.

Looking over towards the seated stand

Along with Gosport and Canvey Island, Abingdon is one of the largest towns in England without a railway station. The most convenient station is Oxford which is an hours journey from Marylebone. From the stop right outside Oxford Station you can catch the X3 to Abingdon which takes about twenty minutes. The bus stops pretty much outside the ground but you can stay on and visit the pleasant town centre. Right next to the bus stop in the centre is the museum and for a nominal fee you can go on the roof for a great view of the town and the surrounding countryside. Right on the River Thames is The Nags Head where I tried the Abingdon Bridge from the local Loose Cannon Brewery. After that I went to The Grapes to watch the first half of the Merseyside Derby. From the town centre, the ground is a steady twenty minute walk. The clubhouse was pretty much a pub inside the ground and had Sky Sports. 

Comfortably best programme of the season so far

Covered area housing the vocal home support