Sports lack the cutting edge in defeat

Milton United are the visitors to Addison Road for Saturday’s Division One West clash where manager Phil Lines will be looking for his side to complete the double.

Sports go into Saturday’s game on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Abingdon United. Both goals came in the second half at Northcourt Road through Ross Tabor and Tom Butler.

Sports produced another committed display against a strong Abingdon side who turned in a dominant display in the second half.

In the first half, both defences were on top and there were few chances for either side. Sam Grant and Andrew Stidder shot wide from tight angles while Durrell Livous tested Jack Griffiths with a volley from the edge of the box.

At the other end, Jack Goode tipped a low shot around the post. Despite the lack of goal mouth action, it was an entertaining encounter with both teams trying to play good football.

But, not for the first time this season, Sports went behind to an early goal after the restart. Virtually straight from the kick-off Sports failed to clear and a free-kick was headed home by Tabor.

The goal settled the home team down and they played some of the best football, shifting the ball well on a good surface. Sports stuck to the task but they lacked a target man to hold the ball up.

Even so, they had a great chance to equalise when Livous release Andrew Stidder but his first touch allowed Griffiths to smother his shot. Sports enjoyed plenty of possession before a loose ball was collected by the impressive Sam Wharton and he found Butler who beat Goode via the upright.

Hook Norton could only draw 0-0 with Shortwood United Reserves at The Bourne.