ABINGDON Town will return to the North Berks League for the first time in 75 years on Saturday as they host Wallingford Town on the opening day of the season, writes Matthew Bruce.

The Abbots resigned from the Hellenic League at the end of last season due to financial reasons and will kick off this term in the North Berks League for the first time since 1938-39.

But manager Tom Larman Jnr is confident that the club will thrive at this level.

“Basically we want to bring back the glory days of Abingdon Town, now that we’re back in the North Berks,” he said.

“I’ve definitely built a squad that’s more than capable of winning everything.”

During the intervening 75 years the club have enjoyed great success, peaking in the Isthmian League Division 1 from 1991 to 1998, and despite the club’s recent decline, Larman is hopeful of bringing similar success back to Culham Road.

He said: “I can remember when I was a boy growing up, Abingdon Town were a massive club on a par with Oxford City and winning things.

“Hopefully if we start winning things again it will bring back the support and we can start going in the right direction.

“But I can definitely see us staying in the North Berks for a few years.

“It’s not like we’re looking to stay for one season, win everything and then go for promotion. The club needs some time to get back on its feet.”

Milton United bounced back with a 2-1 victory at Newbury on Monday in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division.

Rob Joyce and Tom Austin scored for Milton, who had lost 2-1 at home to Holyport on Saturday, with Dan Cox-Rogers on target.

Aaron Andrews netted as Abingdon United lost 4-1 at home to Oxford City Nomads on Monday, having been beaten 2-0 at Binfield on Saturday.

Shrivenham lost 3-1 at home to Thatcham Town on Monday, with Steve Robertson on target, having won 2-1 at Cheltenham Saracens on Saturday.

David Coleman and Robertson netted.

Lee Smith’s strike could not save Wantage Town Res from a 2-1 defeat at North Leigh United in Division 1 West on Saturday, while Letcombe lost 1-0 at home to Hook Norton.

Didcot Town Res lost 3-0 at home to Penn & Tylers Green in Division 1 East.

Abingdon United ran out 4-0 winners of their FA Cup extra preliminary round replay at home to Holyport on Tuesday night.

Alan Andrews, Wade Rutherford, Andrew Younie and Anaclet Odhiambo netted for Abingdon, who now entertain Egham Town in the preliminary round on Saturday.

Milton United beat Chertsey Town 4-1 on penalties after their replay finished level at 1-1 after normal and extra time.

Tom Austin had fired Milton ahead, but their hero was keeper Craig Griffiths, who saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out to set up a home tie against Marlow.