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Thame United 2 Banbury United 2

Thame United 2 Banbury United 2

David Shadbolt26 Jul 2016 - 22:41
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A Mark Bell penalty and a fine strike from the edge of the box late in the game from Zac McEachran earn United a draw in this pre-season friendly

Banbury would go behind as early as the eighth minute when a corner from the left was knocked home from the edge of the six yard box by former Wycombe Wanderers, Bournemouth, AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham Football League player Steve Gregory.

As the half developed it was a rather luck-lustre performance from the Puritans but they would equalise in the 30th minute when Leam Howards was pulled back inside the penalty area with Mark Bell making no mistake from the penalty spot.

Mark Janes had the ball in the back of the net for Banbury five minutes before the interval but he was penalised for a foul on a defender as he headed Michael Hopkins' cross from the left past the home custodian.

Thame would though regain the lead seven minutes into the second half when a good mazy run from Dan West took him deep inside the Banbury penalty area before he knocked the ball home past Jack Harding.

It was only in the final quarter of the game that Banbury really showed any authority over their Hellenic League opponents. Felipe Barcelos had a couple of good openings midway through the half but was denied on both occasions by excellent saves by the home goalkeeper. But an equaliser looked as though it was coming and it duly did in the 72nd minute when a fine strike from Zac McEachran from the edge of the Thame penalty area hit the back of the net.

Thame though should really have won the game in the 82nd minute as Banbury substitute goalkeeper Adam Rimmer brought down a Thame player just inside the penalty area. However, the young custodian brought out an excellent save from the resultant penalty to keep Banbury on level terms.

Banbury would themselves go close to snatching victory three minutes from time when an excellent run in from the left by Darius Browne, evading lots of tackles ended with his shot being well saved yet again by the Thame goalkeeper.

United's final pre-season friendly is on Saturday when United Counties League side Wellingborough Town are the visitors to the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium 3.00pm kick-off.

Banbury United: Jack Harding (Adam Rimmer 70), Jacob Blackstock, Michael Hopkins (Bradley Singh 46), Duran Martin (Jack Self 54), Ben Brown (Jack Westbrook 60), Andy Gunn (Ricky Johnson 60), Zac McEachran, Declan Benjamin (Darius Browne 60), Mark Janes, Leam Howards (Felipe Barcelos 46), Mark Bell (Lester Davies 70).

Photo shows Mark Bell converting his first half spot-kick

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