Banbury Reach the Cup Semi-Finals
Banbury HC - 3 Wimbledon 2 HC - 2
Banbury put in a hard-working performance to seal a fantastic win at home versus Wimbledon and a ticket to the England Hockey cup semi-final against Manchester team Bowden in two weeks.
The game started with both teams attacking at pace and both teams trying to find the opener. Darsh Theara and Josh Nunneley in the heart of defence were too strong for Wimbledon and it wasn’t until the 24th minute that a scramble in front of goal ended with Wimbledon finding the net to take the lead at 1-0. But it only took two minutes for Banbury to find the equaliser when
man of the match Joe Allen found Tyson Nunneley who hammered the ball into the Wimbledon D and George Brooker’s deft deflection beat the keeper to make it 1-1. Then Banbury took the initiative with Pete Lamb and Tyson Nunneley breaking fast down the flanks and forwards George Godwin and Captain Will Kellett coming so close to taking the lead. It was Wimbledon,
however, who went into the break 2-1 up when they won a penalty corner in the last minute and converted it with deft interplay which keeper Kit Lamb could do nothing about.
The second half was just as competitive but it was Banbury who looked more hungry and the midfield of Joe Allen and Harry Simons working with the growing threat of Sam Chadbourne started to dominate the pitch. Jacob Buckner Rowley, Kellett, and Godwin put more pressure on the Wimbledon keeper and the pressure eventually paid off when after 20 minutes Chadbourne found Godwin whose great individual skill won a penalty corner. Josh Nunneley converted this with an absolute rocket into the top corner of the Wimbledon net to make it 2-2. Banbury now smelt blood and just 10 minutes later Chadbourne weaved his way through the Wimbledon midfield and defence only to be fouled in the D resulting in a penalty flick. Nunneley stepped up to make it 3-2 to Banbury with an unstoppable flick.
The final period saw Wimbledon throw everything at Banbury and it took an outstanding one on one save by keeper Kit Lamb and stoic defence, especially by Pete Lamb and Ben Clarke to keep the lead. The last minute saw Wimbledon win a penalty corner but Kit Lamb and his defence kept it out to win with a great 3-2 victory.
Banbury manager, Andy Camp said “What a match. Wimbledon are a very strong team and made it very difficult for us but we dug in and every single Banbury player worked a huge shift today to win the game. We are now in the semi-final of the cup against Bowden at home - just 70 minutes away from the final in the national stadium!”
Photo: Josh Nunneley and Pete Lamb gave Wimbledon's attack little opportunity
Photo: Jacob Buckner-Rowley constable harries the Wimbledon defence
Photo: Man of the match Joe Allen closes Wimbledon down all match
Photo: Tyson Nunneley created problems for Wimbledon all game
Photo: Simon and Godwin on the attack
Photo: Lamb defended all game
Photo: Chadbourne terrorised the Wimbledon midfield all game
Photo: Nunneley bags 2 vital goals in the 3-2 cup win
Photo: Ben Clarke and George Brooker close on the Wimbledon defence