Injuries & Illness - 11th March

Wantage manager Richie Bourne has squad selection problems this weekend with injuries and illness taking their toll.

Gary Swan is struggling with a knee injury so only rated 50/50 as is Danny Keen who has been recovering from a groin strain. Andy Wallbridge also a slight doubt with flu and Sean Webb is away.

Welcome back Ellis Langford after missing last Sat with flu.

Richie Bourne said "Be glad to see the end of this bout of cold/flu we've had through the team over the last few weeks. Really affected a few players"

Likely squad:R Durrant,T Rowe,S Belcher,C Copp,T Molton,M Biddle,T Austin,E Langford,M Horsell,S McKeon,G Jones,L McCullough,R Guy,D Keen,A Wallbridge,L IIsley,G Swan

Trip To The Mango's - 10th September

Wantage travel to Mangotsfield, the Bristol based Zamaretto League, South and West Division side looking to progress in the FA Cup.

This will be a tough test for still unbeaten, this season, Wantage Town, but players and coaches are full of optimism and confidence.

Team from: D Simms S Webb C Copp G Swan S Belcher T Malton E Langford T Austin R Claydon S Mckeon      M Horsell R Guy L McCullough M Biddle   J Daley A Wallbridge S Dewar

The First Week - 21st August

Richie Bourne, manager of FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier side Wantage Town gives his views on the first week of the season.

“Its been a up and down few days for my lads and the supporters, having set some good standards against Almondsbury in our first league game, we started our FA Cup journey down at Hamble on the Saturday. It turned out to be close fought encounter with neither side probably doing enough to win it on the day. From our point of view it was a bad day at the office having been nowhere near our best. Mind you after the way the day panned out with the coach not turning up and lads and the supporters having to drive at the very last minute, I think overall we were all just happy to still be in The Cup and bring Hamble back to our place”.

He continued; “Tuesdays replay saw a similar first half to Saturday. We struggled to get hold of the ball, and often by-passed the midfield which made it very difficult for us to get any rhythm. However what we are doing well is creating chances, and with all my forwards in very good form they are taking them. In the end we ran out 4-1 winners, which might look convincing, but credit to Hamble they pushed us all the way”.

Looking ahead Bourne said; “Without taking the gloss off what was a good win though, we know there is still plenty of work to be done, so its important we don’t get carried away because Newport (Isle of Wight) in the next round will be a much tougher test for us”.

“But before that is our next league game on Saturday, as the games start coming thick at fast. Against Hook Norton at home, which wont be easy. I'm sure after Hooky’s heavy defeat on the opening day of the season they will want to bounce back quickly. We have to ensure that is not against us".

With Richard Claydon, and Andy Wallbridge away the Wantage Team will be selected from:- D Simms T Rowe S Belcher G Swan C Copp T Malton E Langford G Jones T Austin R Guy S McKeon L Illsley L McCullough J Stott S Webb J Daley S Dewar

Wantage Ready For ‘Big Kick Off’ - 4th August

As the season’s start approaches Wantage Town complete their friendly programme with an away game tonight in Portsmouth against Moneyfields F.C. Wantage begin their campaign with a league game on Tuesday, 11th August at home to last season’s high flyers Almondsbury. This will be a good test and will set the scene for the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, 15th August away to Hamble.

Manager Richie Bourne, starting his 6th season at the Club, and Assistant Manager Andy Wallbridge are pleased with their squad’s progress in pre-season training and friendly matches. Not many new faces at Alfredian Park this season, but several players return to the Club. Richie Claydon looks sharp in pre-season games as he rejoins from near neighbours Letcombe, after a successful season in Division One West in the last campaign. Manager Richie Bourne states that Claydon is a player he had always highly rated, a player with great touch and movement, and a knack of producing something out of nothing, already evidenced in his pre-season games. Bourne is also pleased to see the return of wingman Tom Austin, who returns to the Club from Abingdon United. Austin gets the opportunity to join a group of emerging youngsters, such as Claydon, Tom Malton, Sam Belcher, Liam Illsley, Richie Guy and Matty Horsell who have all featured strongly in the pre-season period. Experience, particularly in defence is essential. The welcome return of Chris Copp stabilizes the defence following the departure of Adam Learoyd to Banbury United. Adam takes the best wishes of all at the Club as he ventures to a higher level. The defence featuring Copp alongside seasoned campaigner Gary Swann, backed up by the substantial presence of Keeper Darryl Simms, has looked particularly sound in early games. Central midfielder Ellis Langford returns to action after a short break to get married. The player looking sharpest as the formal action gets underway is pacey wingback Gavin Jones.

A balanced squad, who know each other well, and who are setting out to repay Manager Bourne’s faith in them as they have developed over the past couple of seasons. Interesting times ahead for the squad, if the pre-season promise is delivered throughout the coming season.