Zamaretto Southern League

ABINGDON United boss Richie Bourne says his players were hurting after becoming only the second team to lose to Division 1 South & West whipping boys Andover in midweek.

And Bourne has vowed to get things right for their trip to Bideford tomorrow.

Abingdon lost 2-1 at home to basement boys Andover, in a performance which Bourne could not understand.

He said: “I can only describe it as a sloppy performance.

“For those who came to watch, I can only apologise. It’s certainly not what I expect from my team.

“To say we couldn’t do the basics right would be an understatement. We didn’t show any quality, we gave the ball away too much, and that’s something you cannot do at this level.

“The lads’ pride has been severely hurt, and I know they want to put things right. The reality is we have an awful lot to do.

“When you’re at this level as a player, you have to be able to commit. If you can’t commit, then you should be playing in the lower divisions.”

Striker Chris Harper has left the club to join Kidlington, while Steve Davis is missing due to work commitments.

Bourne includes new signing Tom Austin from Wantage.

North Leigh boss Mark Gee believes his side have already forgotten about last weekend’s 8-0 drubbing at Frome as he prepares for a trip to play-off hopefuls Paulton Rovers.

Gee’s men bounced back with a 2-0 win at Bideford in midweek, and Gee reckons his side are still in with a shout of making the top five themselves.

He said: “At Bideford we defended well and worked really hard.

“I think we’ve just had too many open games. We’ve had two 5-4 wins, which doesn’t happen much at this level.

“We’ve always felt we’re capable of beating teams. I guess that makes for entertaining football.”

Gee was delighted with his side’s reaction on Tuesday.

“I didn’t need to say too much,” he said. “The very fact that they were all there for a long midweek trip proved the players wanted to put things right and they did just that.”

Andy McCabe (ankle) is still ruled out, while Sam Elkins, who was taken off with an ankle injury in midweek, is doubtful.

Gee said: “We’re still four or five players light every week, and the games will come thick and fast now.

“If we can get players back fit, we are still in with a shout, but it’s a big ask to play two or three times a week.”

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Abingdon Utd (v Bideford, away): from Foster, McReady, Halliday, Carnell, Allaway, Wimble, Melledew, Lewis, Romeo, Griffin, Orgad, Pilgrim, Marsh, Austin.

North Leigh (v Paulton Rov, away): from Lonsdale, Elkins, Huxley, Hole, Caton, Hopkins, Dutton-Black, Clark, Futcher, Sanders, Taylor, Thorne, Burnell, Saunders, Franklin.