CARL Self bagged a brace as Abingdon United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Cinderford Town in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League at Northcourt Road.

Self gave a hint at what was to follow by firing an early shot over from the edge of the area. Keeper James Foster, making his comeback for Abingdon after suffering a broken foot two months ago, saved a Cinderford chance, before the hosts opened the scoring.

With 33 minutes gone, Self raced on to Sam Tucker’s pass and unleashed a shot that flew past visiting keeper Lewis Pierre. Ben Whitehead was then unlucky to see his drive fly just wide, but the visitors were still looking dangerous, and Scott Wilson charged through the centre of defence only to be denied by Luke Carnell’s block.

Lee Smith then outmuscled a couple of Abingdon defenders, and Foster was forced into a smart save at the base of a post.

Abingdon got the cushion of a two-goal lead in the 53rd minute.

Self whipped a free-kick in from the left, and Aaron Woodley flicked the ball over Pierre into the net.

Cinderford’s giant striker Lewis Sommers had a goal disallowed for a foul, and Abingdon centre backs Kevin Halliday and Carnell did well to keep the 6ft 7in forward at bay.

Foster beat away Wilson’s volley on the hour and after Self fired just over, the Abingdon keeper turned a shot from Wilson round a post.

Abingdon clinched victory though when Self robbed a defender as he ushed the ball back to Pierre, before turning the keeper to slot home from an acute angle.

Matty Biddle almost added a fourth with a shot smothered by Pierre.

Abingdon Utd: Foster, Crudup, Halliday, Carnell, Baker, Melledew, Tucker (Biddle 75), Nowell (Young 60), Woodley, Self, Whitehead (Evans 80). Subs not used: Riccio, Bourne.

Attendance: 87.

l ABINGDON United are back in league action tonight when they visit Hungerford Town.