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Wallingford progressed to the next round of the Direct Sports Supplementary Cup with a deserved victory over Abingdon Town, although it took a last minute goal to secure the win.
Incredibly this was the fourth time the two teams had met at the Hithercroft this season with their names being plucked out of the hat in 3 different cup competitions as well as in the League. Not surprisingly, then, most of the match was a midfield battle between two teams wary of each other’s ability, with few goalmouth chances. The visitors almost took the lead on 15 minutes when David Champ chipped the ball into the area and Charlie Bough flicked a looping header goalwards where John Shea brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar at full stretch falling backwards. Wallingford, however looked the more dangerous going forward and took the lead on 20 minutes. Danny Leggett showed good awareness to chest a high ball down, turn and thread through a pass to Abdouli Taha, who ran clear on the left and finished nicely with his left foot. Five minutes later the home side extended their lead. Aaron Baker was bundled over on the left and Foufana curled in a free-kick which Foday Touray flicked on into the centre of the area. Taha beat a defender to the ball and it fell for Aaron Baker to strike the ball low left footed into the corner. Wallingford looked well in control at this stage but the visitors snatched a rather fortunate goal back just before half time when Andy Hough floated in what looked like a cross from the right which deceived John Shea and looped into the far corner of the net. Wallingford had a good chance to extend their lead shortly after half-time when Ross Tyler chipped the ball over the top and Leggett ran through with just Beames to beat but he blasted the ball into the side netting. The second half was mostly a scrappy affair, with Wallingford mostly keeping their opponents in check. With 5 minutes remaining Tyler charged down a clearance and ran clear but Beames saved his low shot. Abingdon applied the pressure late on and Bertram forced a full stretch save from Shea, but in injury time Wallingford made the game safe. The impressive Dauda Fofanah skipped past a couple of defenders and fed Zinzee Taha, who side-stepped the ‘keeper and Andrew Styles was on hand to tap into an empty net to make it 3-1. Next Saturday Wallingford face a stern test with Hellenic Premier leaders North Leigh visiting the Hithercroft. AFC Wallingford: Shea, Boateng, Lovegrove, Fenn, Ingram, Tyler, Fofanah, Touray (Styles 60), Baker (Z.Taha 80), Leggett (Massaquoi 80), A.Taha |
