FOOTBALL: Bourne seeks a revival (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: Bourne seeks a revival

10:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Football

Abingdon United boss Richie Bourne is backing his players to bounce back when they travel to form side Paulton Rovers in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West tonight.

On Saturday, Abingdon crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Winchester City, who had lost their last eight games.

“They had only won once in 13 games, so it’s a bad loss for us,” said Bourne.

“We have to keep battling on. I know we can get out of it, but we can’t seem to buy a win.”

Centre back Mark James could start after signing from Newbury, while Tom Melle-dew is back from suspension, and Matt Biddle also returns.

They will be without Aaron Woodley (thigh) and Shane Kingston (illness).

Didcot Town manager Gary Elkins could give a debut to Ricky Allaway when they host Taunton Town.

The ex-Abingdon United defender, who has joined from Cirencester Town, is set to slot in alongside Luke Carnell at the heart of their defence.

North Leigh will be without Andy Caton (work) when they travel to Bridgwater, though the match is the subject of a 9am pitch inspection due to heavy waterlogging.

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Abingdon Utd (v Paulton Rovers, away): from Foster, Baker, Taplin, Haliday, Thomas, Melledew, Tucker, Nowell, Evans, Self, Biddle, Whitehead, James, Davis, Riccio.

Didcot Tn (v Taunton Tn, home): from Belloli-Pereira, S Elkins, Casson, Allaway, Carnell, Stanley, Janes, Heapy, Osborne-Ricketts, Meade, M Williams, Haysham, Tappin, Hepburn, Bernoscoli, Pereira.

North Leigh (v Bridgwater, away, 9am inspection): from Warrell, Hole, Organ, Turk, Caton, Else, Bowles, McDonagh, Sanders, Hopkins, Brooks, Walcott, Brooks, Mills, Westlake, Alexis, Clark.