Abingdon Utd 3

(Collier 58, Packer 73, Young 78)

Didcot Tn 0

Abingdon United’s clinical finishing proved decisive as they recorded victory over Didcot Town in a dour Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West derby at Northcourt Road yesterday.

With neither side producing much flowing football, the game developed into a war of attrition in midfield.

Chances were at a premium, but when they did come along in the second half Abingdon made them count.

United had the first opportunity when Didcot keeper Jon Beames smothered Aaron Parfitt’s low shot from 15 yards.

Matt Biddle was off target with a shot from the edge of the area for Abingdon, before United captain Ricky Allaway headed a free-kick over the bar.

Didcot began to put some urgency into their play, and from a quick corner the unmarked Danny Seaward header just wide.

Town’s Uchy Ikpeazu then went down to huge appeals for a penalty, but referee Rob Partlett waved play on.

Ikpeazu threatened again when his chip squirmed out of James Foster’s hands only to drop on to the roof of the net.

In the final seconds of the first half, Stuart Young burst through and let fly, but Beames turned the ball away with his legs.

Foster gathered Richard Peirson’s header after the break, before Abingdon broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Young crossed for Sam Collier to sweep the ball home.

Abingdon doubled their lead after 73 minutes. Beames failed to hold a Collier drive and Sam Packer smashed the loose ball into the roof of the net.

Five minutes later, Abingdon sealed victory.

Adam Kingsbeer turned defence into attack by snatching the ball as two Didcot opponents hesitated, before releasing Young, who raced into the area and drilled a shot into the bottom corner.

Abingdon Utd: J Foster, Buck, Angell, Allaway, Carnell, Parfitt (Doyle 80), Kingsbeer, Biddle, Collier (Booker 85), Packer (Christodolou 78), Young.

Didcot Tn: Beames, Elkins, Halliday, Hill, Peirson, Stanley, Howell, Mudge (Bayley), Ikpeazu (Faulkner 60), Seaward, Davis (Robinson 85). Subs not used: Millar, Turner.

Attendance: 242.