Banbury manager Billy Jeffrey fielded virtaully a full strength side this evening in the First Round of the Red Insure Southern League Cup away to Division One South & West side Abingdon United.

The only absentees were Joe Coleman stiil recovering from injury but training prior to the game and the on loan Anysley McDonald out with a back injury. Added to the squad and on the bench were reserve team regulars Harrison Foster and Ben Naylor, resulting in, for the first time this season, five named substitutes!

Banbury began brightly and took the lead in just the fifth minute when a Marvin Martin corner from the right was headed home unchallenged by Scott Cross at the near post. Banbury were passing the ball around well at this point and looked comfortably in control. Just when Abingdon were though beginning to have more of the ball, Banbury went 2-0 up on 22 minutes when the hosts showed their vulnerablity from corners for the second time - on this occassion a left wing corner from David Staff was met powerfully by the head of Adam Learoyd with the ball hitting the back of the net.

On 30 minutes Nabil Shariff injured his shoulder and probably with one eye on the important FA Trophy game on Saturday was replaced by Jason Taylor.

Banbury however conceeded a goal right on half time when a cross from the right was headed powerfully into the net by Billy Beechers giving Joe Murrell no chance.

This goal boosted Abingdon at the start of the second half and they looked more lively. However it was Banbury who should have increased their lead on 52 minutes when Jason Taylor was set free but with just the goalkeeper to beat he screwed his shot well wide from 12 yards.

On 58 minutes an error by David Staff let in an Abingdon forward but Murrell did well to smother the shot and then save the rebound attempt as well. However just four minutes later Abingdon equalised when a free kick from the right was pumped into the penalty area, The ball was cleared but only as far as former Puritan Steve Davis just outside the penalty area and his superb shot rocketed into the top right hand corner of the net.

It was now all to play for but Banbury then had a couple of good chances. Taylor set up Declan Benjamin on 64 minutes but the latter's shot was well saved by the keeper's legs. Then just a minute later Taylor himself shot just wide.

The game was won though on 81 minutes when Ross Oulton did well to make room for himself to shoot for goal right on the edge of the penalty area. His shot was firmly struck and hit the left hand upright before nestling into the back of the net. Then a Banbury corner from the right which was slightly overhit but picked up by Delroy Gordon at the far post was lobbed back into the danger area where Cross met the ball on the edge of the six yard box but met it too well and the ball flew over the bar when any lesser connection would surely have seen it hit the back of the net.

There were a couple of corners in the last minute for the home side which caused some anxiety amongst travelling supporters but they were dealt with and it is Banbury who advance to the Second Round.

After the defeat to Oxford City on Saturday, United manager Billy Jeffrey will be delighted to have seen an improved showing tonight. Another positive to come out of the game was an excellent and very promising 25 minutes for Harrison Foster in the centre of midfield after coming on as a substitute.

Banbury United: Joe Murrell, Ollie Stanbridge, Luke Cray, Delroy Gordon, Adam Learoyd, Ross Oulton, David Staff (Harrison Foster 66), Declan Benjamin, Nabil Shariff (Jason Taylor 30), Scott Cross (Joe Power 85), Marvin Martin. Subs (not used): Jon Mbamarah, Ben Naylor

Attendance: 65

The Second Round Draw is expected to be made at the end of the week. The Second Round will be played in the week beginning Monday 22nd November