More news from Brackley and elsewhere

It has been confirmed that the “mystery goalkeeper” who came on for Richard Knight in the second half last night was in fact former Luton 'keeper Nathan Abbey, who is on trial for the U's. Abbey had a big falling out with some sections of the United crowd due to an incident the season before last, and it would be interesting to see what the fans' reaction would be if he were to be taken on. Hopefully everyone will be mature enough to let bygones be bygones…

Despite Mark Wright's stated preference for a 3-5-2 system United actually started playing 4-4-2, with the following line-up: Knight; Stockley, Guyett, Bolland, Hatswell; Whitehead, Thomas, Tait, Beauchamp; Scott, Gray. Wright has expressed his disatisfaction with the performance at Brackley, singling out the forwards for failing to hold up the ball properly. He has stated that his next targets are a goalkeeper (possibly Blake) and a striker. The Oxford Mail reckons that Swansea's Giovanni Savarese may be a possibility. That's the Venezuelan international who Denis Smith in his wisdom decided wasn't good enough for the U's.

Former United youth midfielder Howard Forinton has been released by Peterborough following a season blighted by injuries. Guy Whittingham won't be signing for Exeter as Noel Blake is no longer interested in the veteran striker. It's alleged that he will sign for, um, Newport Isle of Wight.

Grass for sale

Nope, United hasn't started trying to raise funds for new players by dealing in Super Skunk. Instead the club is to auction off the Manor turf on Sunday August 12th at £15 a square metre (alternatively go to the local garden centre and buy regular turf for £3/sq. m.).