Ardley United host Abingdon Town on Saturday, with the home club looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 11 games.
This is the first meeting between the two sides this season, Ardley took the honours in league fixtures between the two clubs last season. However the Abbots are having one of their best seasons in the Hellenic League and also have a run of five wins in league and cup games to their credit in November.
Team From: Beckett Adam; Beckett Darren; Brandish; Bridges Stuart; Bridges Scott; Brooks; Bryan; Garner; Green; Smith; Standen; Thomas; Thorne; White
Oxon Derby - 23 November
Free scoring Ardley United, who have put away a total 32 goals in five League and Cup games so far during November will not be taking visitors Kidlington lightly in the local derby at The Playing Fields on Saturday.
The uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders know full well, that despite Kidlington's patchy form this season, the opposition will be all out to cause an upset.
When the sides met a Kidlington on October 8, it was end to end football for ninety minutes and with the score at three goals each, defender Darren Beckett got his second goal and match winner five minutes before the final whistle.
Scott Bridges(pictured) may be doubtful for Saturdays football game, the midfielder limped of the pitch at Bracknell on Tuesday night after 30 minutes of play. Though not before scoring a hit trick.
Team From: Beckett Adam; Beckett Darren; Brandish; Bridges Stuart; Bridges Scott; Brooks; Bryan; Garner; Green; Smith; Standen; Thomas; Thorne; White
No Easy Game - 17 November
Ardley will certainly not be taking Henley Town for granted when the two sides meet again for the second Saturday in a row at the Playing Fields this weekend.
A last gasp goal from Ryan Brooks earned the points against The Lillywhites at their place in a 4-3 victory, but Henley have the bit between their teeth and will be looking to cause an upset.
Kevin Brock will be aware that the 8-0 victory over Oxfordshire Senior Football League Stonesfield Sports on Tuesday night in the OFA Senior Cup could leave the team slightly over confident. Though no doubt he will be reminding his players of how hard it was to secure the three points at Henley last weekend and not to take things for granted. With Flackwell Heath playing in the FA Vase this weekend, a win would take Ardley to the top of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division.
Just Like Waiting For A Bus! - 11 November
The last time Ardley United and Henley Town locked horns in League competition was in March 2006, after a nigh on six year wait they now face each other twice in a week!
Though Ardley manager Kevin Brock will not be taking the ride lightly, The Lillywhites have shown in their previous games this season they can cause an upset. It has to be said that their form away from home has produced more points for them than those played at the Triangle Ground, twelve of their fourteen points this season have achieved on the road. Ardley also have a solid away performance record with only one loss in eight away games.
Brock takes no opposition team for granted, and despite the 6-0 trouncing of Shrivenham who are five places above Henley in the table, when his side enter the field of play tomorrow they will be fully aware there is a job to be done.
Will It Be Port Or Whine? - 29 September
Holyport visit The Playing Fields on Saturday, a club that has tested and taken the spoils against Ardley on more than one occasion in the past 12 months, proving to be somewhat of a bogey side.
Though newly promoted to the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division this season, Port met United twice in Cup games last season and proved a lot of pundits wrong. In September 2010, the then Division One team, achieved a 2-1 victory at Ardley. That was followed with a 3-1 win last May in the The 'Bluefin' - Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup Final.
The two sides last met on Bank Holiday Monday at Port's Summerleaze Ground, where Ardley took the spoils with a 3-1 victory. Buoyed by win last weekend at Highworth and a seven goal trouncing of Bracknell mid week, Ardley are in a positive frame of mind, but you can be assured that Kevin Brock will not be taking Holyport lightly and will be drumming that into his team. With Ardley now fifth place in the table and Port two places below, Saturday's game at The Playing Fields has the promise of being a good one to watch.
New Youth Era For Ardley - 27 July
Ardley United has formed an Under 18's team which will play in the Allied Counties League, a development for the club which will help generate future talent for United's senior team.
The team, managed by Steve Mercer and assisted by Steve Fisher, will be competing in the Allied Counties League Central Division along with Abingdon United, Buckingham Athletic,Carterton, Didcot Town, Kidlington, Holmer Green, Thame United and Witney Town.
Ardley United Youth will be playing their first game in the Allied Counties League at Carterton on September 8, all games are midweek with a 7pm kick off. Home games at Ardley will be played on Thursday nights. Prior to the season start a number of pre-season fixtures have been arranged including home games against Oxford City and Burnham.
Players interested in seeking a place in the squad should contact Steve Mercer 07894 237984 e-mail mercourts@btinternet.com or Steve Fisher 07766 208664 e-mail stfbks@aol.com
