Banbury HC Men Head into Christmas Five Wins on the Trot
Banbury HC Men’s 1s - 3 Slough Men’s HC 1s - 0
Banbury HC men rounded off the first half of the season with a comprehensive 3-0 win away at Slough. Banbury started the game in an attacking manner with returning Steve O’Connor, Jacob Bucker Rowley, and Captain Will Kellett putting the Slough keeper under huge pressure and the midfield of Joe Allen, Richard Hobley, George Godwin, and man of the match Harry Simons in
complete control. But Slough proved difficult to break down until the 20th minute when Banbury won a penalty corner which Captain Kellett scored with his trademark drag-flick to make it 1-0. Slough responded but the heart of the Banbury defence of Darsh Theara and Josh Nunneley held well and the counter threat down the flanks of Sam Chadbourne and Pete Lamb meant that
Slough was always vulnerable to the fast Banbury counter attacks. Half time came with Banbury still leading 1-0 but frustrated they didn’t have more to show for their efforts.
Banbury stepped up a gear in the second half with Joe Allen and Harry Simons dominating possession and James Long creating havoc with Godwin down the flanks. After 20 minutes Banbury won another penalty corner which Captain Kellett scored again with his deadly drag-flick to give Banbury a deserved 2 goal cushion. Man of the match, Harry Simons, sealed the win 5 minutes later with a great reverse stick strike into an empty net after the interplay of O’Connor and Kellett had left the Slough keeper stranded. Kit Lamb in goal and the Banbury defence held firm for the last 10 minutes to give Banbury a clean sheet and a 3-0 win - the 5th win on the trot going into the Christmas break.
Banbury Manager, Andy Camp, said “this Banbury team is now on a roll that looks unstoppable. We are difficult to break down and lethal on the break and we now stand 2nd in the South Central Premiership at the halfway stage. We need to keep our focus and intensity during the break ready for the January restart. We have nothing to fear based on the last 5 weeks”.
Next Sunday Banbury plays Barton HC in the second round of the England Hockey Cup.
Photo: James Long creating attacks
Photo: Joe Allen on the ball
Photo: Banbury dominating
Photo: Richard Hobley and James Long