United lined up with a 4-5-1 formation with Luke Holden coming in up front as the target man and Billy Beechers starting on the bench, in an attempt to stem the flow of the home side who are one of the favoured teams this year.

The game plan worked with the home side being kept in check and their passing left something to be desired which helped the United cause.  Only one problem, Abingdon seemed to think this was the way to play on the greasy surface and sprayed their passes around but too many went astray as well. 

The first half was lacking in goalmouth action as the teams contrived to avoid getting a shot on goal or even near, in the first 45 minutes.  Matt Seedell was fed on the edge of the area in a central position but as he went to unleash a ferocious shot, a sliding block by Nathan Woodley stopped the ball before it left his foot.  There was a chance if you call it that from Windsor with a header in the direction of the posts but went across the goal and away to no harm.

Abingdon’s only opportunity came well into the first period with a long curling ball from Woodley that fell into the run of Luke Holden. He went for the lob as Chico Ramos sprinted out of his area and the keeper made it in time for the ball to bounce off his body and out of play.  That was it for the half but at least you knew there would be more action in the following 45 minutes.

The home team had more of the possession but still couldn’t create much of quality and it was their keeper Ramos who came to their rescue as he scrambled away the ball in a goalmouth melee.

Soon after Windsor started to get a few chances with first Ben Porter heading wide but just after the hour mark Porter made no mistake as United tried to spring the offside but two Eton players got away with no flag going up.  Lee Farrow was out quickly but couldn’t stop Porter who went by him and from an angle slotted the ball away.

The home side then pressed Abingdon back and Farrow was forced into a fine save, tipping over a dipping shot.

United came back with 20 minutes to go when Jordan Parker whipped in a cross and Anaclet Odhiambo had created some space and headed strongly, low towards the bottom corner from about 5 yards but somehow Ramos got his body in the way.  As the ball ran loose a United boot got a touch but as it looped towards goal, Ramos again threw himself sideways and got a hand to it and turned it away.

Windsor had an effort put over and Abingdon bundled the ball home but Odhiambo or Beechers or both were ruled offside.  Despite trying to find the equaliser the time ran down and United returned home with nothing to show.

Team: Farrow, Organ, Davies, Woodley, Burton, McCalmon, Herbert, Parker, Holden, Odhiambo, Curtin

Beechers on for Holden – 67

Janes on for Parker         - 75

Austin on for Curtin       - 80

Not used: Franklin, Johnson