Abingdon surprise play-off bound Clanfield

Clanfield 85 0-2 Abingdon United

Abingdon United finished their season on a high with a surprise 2-0 win over Clanfield 85 in Fairford.

Goals from Joel Akrill and player-manager John Mills early in each half sealed three points for the Yellows, guaranteeing they will finish the season no lower than tenth in Hellenic League Division One.

Although their play-off spot was confirmed weeks ago, and a home semi-final is guaranteed, it was a blow for Clanfield in pursuit of second place and home advantage through the play-offs.

Jamie Butt’s side have home games against Chipping Sodbury Town and likely play-off semi-final opponents Sporting Club Inkberrow on Tuesday and Thursday respectively to round off their league game.

Malmesbury Victoria are now five points clear in second and can confirm the runners-up position in their final match against Newent Town in midweek.

Clanfield were forced to move this game to Fairford Town’s Cinder Lane with the pitch at Radcot Road not recovering from the match against Calne Town on Tuesday.

Conditions were tough thanks to the wind brought by Storm Kathleen, and despite a decent start, they found themselves behind as Harry Ackland fed through Akrill, who slotted past goalkeeper Luke Haley.

Abingdon continued to threaten with Ackland and Akrill denied in the box from a corner, and Casey Highmoor flashing wide across goal. Clanfield had more of the ball but efforts from Jozef Fullerton and John Dennis failed to trouble Abingdon keeper Eddie Cavanagh.

After delivering his half-time team talk, Mills was in the mood for a goal in the second half. A couple of minutes after shooting over, he received the ball from the right 25 yards out and launched it into the top corner.

Two down, Clanfield frustrations were showing, mostly aimed at the officials and the inexperienced referee. Rhys King was penalised for a foul before the second goal, despite Clanfield claiming he got the ball. He was booked for an accumulation of fouls. Butt would later see yellow for his comment from the bench.

Their efforts in front of goal though were not good enough on the day though. Sam Elkins was unlucky to see a driving shot turned over the bar by defender Dylan Conlan and Nathan Kimber also had a shot deflect out, but Reuben Harry should have done better with his last chance that was blasted over.

As a result finishing second is out of their hands after Malmesbury beat Calne up the road in Cirencester. They now have a tough run of games with two cup games in the next seven days as well as their final two league matches.

By contrast, Abingdon can put their feet up and relax until August. They currently sit in ninth but will drop to tenth if Shortwood United can pick up at least two points in their final game of the season.

Clanfield 85 (4-2-3-1): Haley; Weller (Dickinson 80’), Elkins, Pirie, Simms (McGrath HT); King (Taylor 54’), Kimber; Harry, Hall, Dennis; Fullerton (Seacole 54’). Unused sub: Connor.

Abingdon United (4-2-3-1): Cavanagh; Conlan, Dodson, Woodley, Green (Dix 56’); Morey, Badger; Akrill, Highmoor, Mills (Brooks 90+1’); Ackland.

Goals: Akrill 6’, Mills 53’.

Booked: King 51’, Butt 74’; Morey 71’.

Attendance: 58.