Banbury’s Winning Run Continues
Banbury Men’s 1s -3 Staines Men’s 1s - 2
Banbury took all 3 home points in a tough match against mid-table Staines to keep them in the top 4 with one match left before the Christmas break.
The opener came from a rocket of a shot from the top of the D from George Brooker after the Staines keeper made 2 vital saves in a goalmouth melee. Staines came at Banbury hard after the opener and Pete Lamb, Darsh Theara, and Kit Lamb in goal had to work hard to keep them out. Banbury regained the initiative though through the hard work of Harry Simons, Joe Allen, Richard Hobley, and Tyson Nunneley especially and it wasn’t long before a through pass found Ally Rose on the edge of the Staines D who worked well to win a penalty corner. Captain and Man of the Match, Will Kellett, converted the corner with a great drag-flick to give the home side a
deserved 2-0 lead.
Staines were difficult to shift though and just on the stroke of halftime they pulled a goal back when they won and scored a penalty corner which George Brooker was unlucky not to save on the line. The start of the second half saw Banbury take the game to Staines again with great attacking play down the flanks through Nunneley, Sam Chadbourne,
Jacob Buckner Rowley and George Godwin. This tore Staines apart and their keeper kept the scoreline down with some great saves. But Banbury continued the onslaught and won a penalty corner after 16 minutes which Kellett scored with a low hard drag-flick to make it 3-1.
Then the match became more challenging for both teams as discipline went and cards were awarded for foul play. Staines took advantage of this with 10 minutes left on the clock when they pulled the score back to 3-2 with a volley that Lamb could do little about. Banbury then regrouped and finished the match with a series of attacks, much better possession, and Simons, Kellett, and Godwin unlucky not to increase the lead. The match finished 3-2 to Banbury but it was a hard-fought victory.
Banbury Manager Andy Camp said “This wasn’t pretty and we weren’t at our best today as we missed a hatful of chances and should’ve buried the game early - all credit to their keeper. But we won ugly and that’s what winning teams do. We continue our winning run”.
Next week Banbury faces Slough away before the Christmas break.
Photo: George Brooker and Tyson Nunneley close Staines down
Photo: Simons and DS Allen dominate midfield