FOOTBALL: Collier penalty earns precious point (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: Collier penalty earns precious point

10:30am Monday 30th January 2012 in Non League

Sam Collier smashed home a penalty four minutes from time to earn Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West strugglers Abingdon United a precious 1-1 draw against third-placed Paulton on Saturday.

Abingdon matched their high-riding opponents all the way.

The only effort on target in the first half came when Abingdon’s Matthew Biddle shot straight at the keeper from Michael Buck’s cross.

The second half continued the same fast tempo with Abingdon keeper James Foster making two fine saves before conceding a goal in the 67th minute.

Adam Mardi beat the off-side trap before hammering home to put Paulton ahead.

Two more fine stops by Foster kept Abingdon in the game.

Then in the 84th minute, Abingdon’s Stuart Young cleverly beat three players and whipped in the ball which struck a defender on the arm, the referee awarding a penalty.

Collier, who who had previously seen an effort disallowed for off-side, sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot-kick to secure a notable draw.

Abingdon Utd: Foster, Buck, Young, Carnell, Allaway, Kingsbeer (Angell 70), Evans, Biddle, Parfitt, Collier, Packer. Subs not used: Doyle, Christodolou, Smith.

Attendance: 107.