Abbey Rangers 3 Banbury United 0

United Women exit the League Cup at the quarter-final stage as Abbey Rangers hit three first half goals.

Abbey Rangers started the better of the two sides and it took a good save from goalkeeper Katie McLean after just five minutes from a Rebecca Burtenshaw shot to keep United on level terms.

But just three minutes later the home side were ahead when a quick break from a Banbury corner saw Rachel Johnson fire the ball home from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom corner of the net.

As the half developed though Banbury began to compete well and have an equal share of the game. On 19 minutes a Debbie Andrews on target shot from 20 yards saw the home custodian forced into a save.

However, on 36 minutes a cross from the left by Johnson was knocked home from close range by Molly Upton to make it 2-0 to Abbey Rangers.

Just a minute after conceding a decent shot from Banbury’s Emily Parker from 20 yards was saved by Alice Champion.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half and Rangers would get an all-important third goal when Lesley Owen passed across from the left, setting up Johnson who made no mistake firing the ball home from ten yards.

Any thoughts that United might capitulate in the second half would quickly be banished as it was a much improved display with them competing well against at times driving rain and a strong wind in their faces which made it very difficult for them but despite this they defended well and always showed promise going forward although not overly troubling the home goalkeeper.

So it is Abbey Rangers, who in their league have won all 11 of their games this season, who advance to the League Cup semi-finals

Banbury United: Katie McLean, Alex Ayckbourn, Charlotte Pitts, Sarah Rhind-O’Neil, Rachel Dunbar, Heidi Malcolm-Day, Leah Kinch. Josie Clark, Debbie Andrews, Rochelle Buick, Kailey Hardy. Subs: Jenny Hoggins, Emily Parker, Yazmin Holmes, Rose Clark, Lynsey Burdock.

Updated 17:11 - 4 Feb 2018 by