On a nice warm summers afternoon we all turned our attention away from getting a sun tan and on to the thing that we've all been waiting for the start of the Uhlsport Hellenic Football League season.

And what better match to start us off than Kidlington v's Thatcham Town at Yarnton Road, two of the pre-season favourites for honours.

When we got under-way it was the visitors that were making most of the early gains as their brand of quick and skilful passing looked to be getting them on top. A couple of early chances tested new Kidlington keeper Sam Warrell who was amongst those making their débuts for the home club this afternoon.

Kidlington had a very disrupted pre-season and perhaps this was showing as it was taking time for their new look side to gel, but it was Kidlington who took the lead on 17 minutes. Another of Kiddy's débutantes, Ryan Brooks, did well down the right flank and when his cross was cut out Kidlington had a corner. From the corner kick delivered in by Lewis Coyle Tommy Castle met it with a bullet header at the near post the ball flashed past visiting keeper Chris Rackley for 1 - 0.

This goal seemed to spur the home side on and after a series of attacks Ben Weedon was brought down some 25 yards form goal. Coyle was the man on the spot and he sent in a vicious free kick which powered over the Thatcham wall and dipped into the goal at the far post for 2 - 0 on 22 minutes.

Kidlington were now the ones who looked to be in control of the match and only a combination of visiting defenders Sam Hughes and Tom Moran prevented Brooks a clear shooting chance after a strong run.

Before half time another player making his début Anaclet Odhiambo was sent clear but he cut his shot across goal as Rackley raced out to challenge him. Then just before the break Tristian Laurence pulled up with an injury and was replaced in a straight swap from the Kiddy bench by Brad Chalmers, both lads making their débuts.

At half time Kidlington had weathered the early Thatcham storm and certainly looked to have the spring board of their 2 goal lead to push on after the interval.

Immediately after the restart Odhiambo had a great chance to increase Kidlington's lead but he shot straight at Rackley. After this Thatcham started to assert themselves again and although not really testing Warrell in the home goal their pressure was giving him plenty of fielding practice.

As Thatcham chased the game the match became a little feisty and after a very strong challenge Mark Hughes was adjudged to have gone in high on Kidlington's George Morris, as such he received a second yellow culminating in a red card. It was a very strong challenge and possibly a little high but I don't feel it was malicious but I'm not the referee!

Fortunately there was no harm done to Morris, who again was a Kiddy débutante, and the game continued with a free kick to the home side.

Chances now came and went for the home side as they applied a good deal of pressure to the reorganised Thatcham defence.

Brooks was having one of those days when he couldn't buy a goal, he was working so hard but just couldn't find a finish that would beat Rackley. In fact Rackley stood out as Thatcham's Motm with a string of good blocks during this period of the game.

On 71 minutes Tommy Castle who had been terrorising the Thatcham defence down the left flank was substituted for Lewis Brownhill. This substituting looked to have an adverse effect of the Kidlington side as it wasn't a straight swap and several players looked to have to move position to accommodate although down to 10 men Thatcham now looked to be grabbing the initiative.

On 80 minutes Elliott Powell, yet another débutante, came on to replace a very tired looking Odhiambo. Powell had looked extremely lively in pre-season where he'd scored a hat full of goals and it was hoped this young firebrand would re-ignite the home side.

As it was though Kidlington had gone into their shell by now and looked to be defending what they had, this I'm afraid was nearly their downfall. A lose ball in the middle of the park was picked off and following a quick interchange of passes Marc Thomas halved Kidlington's lead, 2 - 1 on 84 minutes.

Things got very nervous for everyone now as we entered the last minutes of what had been a tremendous fast paced match. Thatcham were certainly having a good period of play but in all honestly the Kidlington defence stood firm and the visitors were never able to get a shot away toward goal that would trouble the impressive Warrell.

To finish off we played about 6 minutes of nervy added time which seemed to be about right and when our Referee Mr Bayliss blew for full time Kidlington had all 3 points, which on reflection they probably deserved.

This was a very good 1st match to this campaign and if we'd have been a bit more clinical or luckier in front of goal I sure the game would well and truly have been over before the hour mark. The team did well in this their first competitive run out together and as we move on I'm convinced they'll get better and better.

A special mention for left full back Ben Weedon who I and others around me today had a first class game, he was back to his best and my own personal Motm. So that's the first 3 points in the bag and we march on to Brackley Town Saints this Wednesday evening.

Kidlington - Warrell, C Weedon, B Weedon, Lawrence (Chalmers 42), Franklin, Morris, Coyle, Gabbidon, Odhiambo (Powell 80), Brooks, Castle (Brownhill 71). Not Used - Quainton, Willoughby

Thatcham - Rackley, Hughes (RED Card 58), Lachacz, Taplin (Jewel 66), Moran, Baines, Morris (Melledew 64), Mealing, Thompson, Willmoth (Paglioroli 78).Not Used - Helmore, Burt

COYG