1st XI
Although the stutter may be considered as continuing we are still 4 points clear of second and 5 of third with 3rd v 4th this coming Saturday and Purley (2nd) v Horsham. The 2 – 2 draw v Banbury means 4th downwards cannot catch us. 2 from 3 to go up.
A surprisingly open first half saw no goals although we could have scored 3 or 4 but for a superlative display by the Banbury keeper whilst at the other end Banbury missed a howler and did have some half chances. We do have to learn to play the ball wide of the goal to by pass the keeper in games like this as he did come out and go down early with our having guys in good positions for a pass.
Things heated up in the second half and the goals began to come. Banbury earned a stroke which was put home, just, but we were back on level terms a few minutes later when quick thinking from a free hit saw Jay tuck the ball home from an acute angle. As expected Banbury started to see yellow but we were unable to capitalise and went behind again when the gift on a platter was provided. Not to be outdone Wiso’s electric skills earned a stroke that Harry Vander Big Balls popped home.
Banbury then missed another howler.
As with West Hampstead 2 weeks earlier there was only going to be one winner as Banbury played the last 10 minutes with 10 men having had 2 more yellows in quick succession. We could have snatched it late on but all in all a draw was a fair result.
We travel to already relegated Oxford Hawks on Saturday with complacency a massive threat. They drew with Horsham yesterday and have taken 7 of the last 9 points on offer whilst we have mustered a miserly 2…