On Sunday we fought out our first victory of the season in the wet and sticky mud of King's Sutton. The game was played at a quick pace from the very first whistle and both sides showed a real determination to win this local derby. We were the first to threaten a quick fire goal when Joes' header from Sams' corner in the opening minute just failed to drop into the goal and was hacked clear. Sam then went close soon after from a direct free kick but the visiting keeper pushed his effort onto the bar, Ned volleyed back across goal where Ryans' powerful header was blocked out. Banbury then had a good spell of pressure themselves and a mixture of strong defending and good goalkeeping kept them at bay in a ten minute spell where the visitors had us pegged back. We were now looking to hit Banbury on the break and from one such attack Sam latched onto Callums' pass and although he was forced wide he still managed a curling shot that came back off the post. We had Chris to thank for a brilliant and brave stop when diving at the strikers feet to prevent a certain goal, Harlie and Ryan snuffed out the attack and cleared the danger. We went into half time all square with the game in the balance.
Will and Ollie made way at the break for Lewis C and Tyler, both lads tried hard but were just a little unsuited to the slippery conditions. With Ty installed alongside Sam we began the second half as we had the first on the offensive. Callum and Joe were getting the upper hand in the centre of the park and growing in confidence to pass their way out of trouble. From two slide rule passes Ty beat the offside trap to break through, one shot was well save and the other skewed wide. We were almost pay for the misses but when Chris was finally beaten Luke was there to hook the ball off the line. Within seconds of this scare we had raced down the other end, Sam played a delightful reversed pass into the path of Callum and the midfielder thumped the ball goalward with his sweet left foot. The keeper couldn't hold the bar of soap and the ball then trickled over the line to give us the lead. Chris had to deal with some similar type of shooting as Banbury tried desperately to get back level but our keepers handling remained consistently strong all game. Luke Dominic ,now at left back and Lewis all linked up well to turn defence into attack and from this break Sam stole in to pinch our second. With a drop of the shoulder and a turn of pace Sam kept his nerve to send the keeper the wrong way with a cool finish. Ned on the opposite flank was beginning to find space as the visitors threw more bodies forward .Callum was spotting the runners and it seemed likely we would add to the tally , it was the under side of the bar that denied Tyler a great goal after reaching Callums' pass before the keeper. The first touch forced him wide but his second sailed over the goalie and the defender on the line only to bounce back into play. Banbury finished strong but were going to find no way through our massed ranks at the back. This was a great way to finish our league campaign for 2013. Training Friday as per usual. For those unable to attend may I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy new Year.
