Shrivenham on the slide

From the archive, first published Tuesday 15th Nov 2005.

SHRIVENHAM'S slide down the Hellenic League Premier Division continues ­ their loss at Abingdon United seeing them drop to ninth place, writes DAVE EATON.

Despite taking an early lead they crashed 4-1 at Abingdon.

Shrivenham got off to a good start with new signing Matt Saye setting up Steve Avenell to open the scoring after just six minutes.

Abingdon were soon level through Curtin and Shrivenham conceded again shortly afterwards when Simms netted in a goalmouth scramble.

Shrivy were fortunate to go in at half time only one goal down although Mark Stevens should have done better with a header from a Michael Silvanus corner.

The second half saw Shrivenham get more into the game with Saye and Avenell going close but Abingdon increased their lead through Pierson and Curtin wrapping up the points with a penalty.

Manager Alan Dyton commented: "I have to say give credit where it is due. This was a very good Abingdon performance and as good as we have faced this season.

"In the first half we were really struggling to stay in the game.

"We made a few positional changes at half time and the performance improved as we got ourselves back into the game. But then made basic mistakes to allow the game to run away from us.

"I have no complaints about the result as they gave us a lesson in good passing and off the ball movement, but the harsh reality is that if we fall below our best that will happen again."

Fairford pulled away from the basement area thanks to a second-half strike from Tyler in their 1-0 win at Wantage Town.

In Division One West three second-half goals in the last 28 minutes gave Cirencester United a welcome 3-0 home win over Easington Sports.

On target for the hosts were Hall (62), Probert (65) and McSherry (90).

An 82nd minute penalty from Hall salvaged a point for Purton as they were held at home to a 1-1 draw by Hook Norton.

The Division One reserve section saw Fairford Town beaten at home 2-1 by Wantage Town.

In a high-scoring game Highworth lost 4-3 at Headington Amateurs.

The only joy for local clubs in this section came at Wootton Bassett where the home side overcame Badshot Lea 3-2.

Cricklade Town reserves were hammered 5-1 away at Easington Sports in Reserve Division One West.

But Shrivenham's second team made up for the first team losing in Abingdon with a 4-2 success over Abingdon Town to move into third place in the table.

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