Highworth leave Kidlington with their second pre-season victory after Lewis’ strike halfway through the second half earns them a 0-1 win. Kidlington lacked any real guile in the final third, something that’s a constant worry for the Greens as of present.
Catching up with coach Kristian Thomas prior to kickoff, pre-season was labelled as a mixed bag for the Greens. As is the case across non-league football at this time of the season, the aim is to maintain the core whilst strengthening the weak areas, in order to build upon last campaign’s finish. However, the same concerns remain ahead of the 2026/27 season, with Kidlington’s opening pre-season outings highlighting the need to improve in front of goal. Score draws against Didcot Town and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, along with a one-goal victory over Stourport Swifts.
There’s also been plenty of business at Kidlington as the curtain-raiser approaches, with former Thame United duo Leo Galpin and Matt Crowther arriving from the ASM Stadium. Centre-half Galpin and goalkeeper Crowther bolster Michael Hopkins’ squad following the departures of former captain Latham Hawkins and goalkeeper Charlie Barnett.
As for the visitors, Highworth Town Boss Ashley Edenborough has been feeling the generic toughness of pre-season: the good type of headaches, plenty of numbers, and focussing on building a certain identity ahead of their brand-new 3g pitch being furbished into The Elms Recreation Ground. Although happy with the squad ahead of the 2026/27 season, Edenborough aimed to leave Yarnton Road with improvements and making minor tweaks to already impressive performances throughout pre-season for The Worthians.
It was a steady start in OX5, where the most notable talking points were the conditions to which the players had to adapt to. A dry pitch, excessive heat and a physical opener. The visitors fashioned the better of the early chances of the two sides as their number nine drilled an effort just above the bar from close range. Six minutes later, the Wiltshire side had a small penalty appeal waved away, but it was clear that the away side were growing into the game. This was proven as Crowther was forced to parry a dangerous cross, with Kidlington eventually scrambling the loose ball clear just before the stoppage.
The hydration break altered the momentum in Kidlington’s favour. Patrick Osborne began to find joy down the flanks, winning fouls in dangerous areas and delivering an increased number of balls into the box, but the home-side were lacking that clinical edge. Both sides went in at half-time having failed to seriously threaten in the final third, with an improvement required after a flat opening 45 minutes.
The second half proved to be a better start than the first for the Greens who advanced forward much more efficiently, despite the most dangerous of the chances was a Galpin header which was comfortably palmed. Just four minutes later Kiddy had the ball in the back of the net, but much to the visitors’ relief, Galpin was caught offside as he directed a header across the face of goal to be knocked home by Osborne. It was a flat beginning to the second half for Highworth but they eventually opened the scoring with fifteen to go. Marcel Lewis drove through a crowd of players before releasing a firm low shot into the bottom corner from twenty yards, a great run and an even better strike.

Kidlington failed to reply and never really troubled James Walker between the Highworth sticks, with the Greens limited to just a handful of attempts on goal. Although a friendly where minutes in their systems and building identity are the priorities, it was a frustrating afternoon for the Greens, who will need improvements in the final third if they are to enjoy a successful season.