FOOTBALL: Biddle double settles it for Abingdon (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: Biddle double settles it for Abingdon

10:00am Monday 18th February 2013 in Headlines

Two goals from Matty Biddle gave Abingdon United the points against the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West’s basement club at Northcourt Road on Saturday.

There was plenty of effort but few good chances in the first half-hour as the well organised defences stood firm.

Abingdon took the lead in the 35th minute, when a Steve Davis corner found the incoming Biddle, whose header sai-led home past Bishops Cleeve keeper James Nortei.

In the second half, the visitors got on top as Abingdon sat back to defend their lead in numbers, although they looked dangerous on the break. Cleeve’s Alex Sykes sent in a cracking drive towards the top corner, but was denied by home keeper James Foster’s tremendous flying save. United replied when Davis whipped in ball across the six- yard box, but no-one could get a touch and it went a foot wide of the far post.

The hosts sealed the win five minutes from time.

In a quick counter-attack, Aaron Woodley raced away and slipped the ball inside for the unmarked Biddle who beat the onrushing keeper for his second goal to kill off the game.

Nick Christodolou fired wide from a Biddle pass and United were denied again late on when Gareth Thomas connect with a Biddle flick-on, but Nor-tei blocked the shot.

Abingdon Utd: Foster, Halliday, Baker, Thomas, James (Taplin 45), Melledew, Nowell (Self 45), Riccio, Woodley (Christo-dolou 80), Biddle, Davis. Subs not used: Tucker, Evans.

Attendance: 53.