Report by Banbury Town manager. Banbury started to game at lightning speed and were two up within five minutes. First a swift break down the wing by Joe Wetherill ended with him playing a superb through ball for Ben Rogers to run onto and slot home into the corner of the net. The second followed neat passing in midfield by Joe Ward and Adam Sullivan before the ball found Ben Rogers who returned the earlier favour by slipping a superb ball behind the defence for Joe Wetherill to fire home. This provoked Benson into action as they became more competitive in midfield and started to pin Banbury back into their half, however sound defending by Nat Bagnall and Ryan Freeman prevented any real chances for Benson. In the twenty fifth minute Banbury found themselves further ahead, after neat passing down the right between Jack Dupont and Joe Ward saw the latter break clear down the wing, Joe Wards cross come shot, caught the keeper by surprise and under pressure from Coenie Else, he could do nothing as the ball looped over him to give Banbury a 3-0 half time lead. Banbury started the second half as they did the first and soon extended their lead when Will Jennings picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and fire home an unstoppable shot high into the net to make it 4-0. This was the signal for Benson to begin their fight back. With the wind strengthening at their backs and with nothing to lose, Benson poured forward. A long ball from the Benson defence caught Banbury napping, with Banbury back pedalling a cross from the right eluded everyone except the unfortunate onrushing Banbury defender who could do nothing as the ball bounced of his legs into his own net. Within a minute Benson had scored their second, another long ball caught the Banbury defenders watching and this time a cross from the left ran right across the goal line, to be stabbed home at the far post by Sean Cousins. Benson were now flying and soon scored their third. With the Banbury defence now in total disarray and Benson piling on the pressure, a ball fell loose on the edge of the Banbury area, Harry Keene was first to react as he fired home high into the net. Bensons come back was completed when poor tackling from Banbury allowed Harry Keene to wriggle clear on the right, his high looping cross evaded everyone to find the net to bring the scores level at 4-4. Benson were now going for the win and only a fine diving save from Kieran Dolphin prevented them from taking the lead. Banbury eventually found their fighting spirit and began to fight back, with the game now stretched chances were being created at both ends as both sides went for the winner. Until with two minutes left a corner for Banbury, was swung in high from the right for Will Jennings to out jump the Benson defence and head Banbury back in front at 5-4. There was still time for Benson to stage one last rally, and only a goal line clearance by George McDowell kept Banbury ahead to win the game 5-4. |
