This will be the fourth time that the clubs have met this season, for as well as the league game at Rushden, the clubs met twice in the FA Trophy. And United have yet to beat the Northamptonshire side in those previous three games, losing 2-1 at Rushden in the league and though drawing 0-0 there just four days later in the Trophy, Rushden progressed to the next round with a 2-1 win in the replay at Banbury.

A run of five wins and one draw from their first six games in January put Rushden right up into play-off contention and though their more recent form has been mixed, they have not played since losing 1-0 at Coalville Town two weeks ago, they are very much still in the play-off mix. They currently are in 9th position in the table equal with ourselves in 8th but they do have a very useful two games in hand on us.

There are likely to be a number of players in the Rushden side who have previously played for the Puritans. These are strikers Tom Lorraine and Nabil Shariff as well as defenders Liam Dolman and Jack Ashton. For Banbury Jack Westbrook, Greg Kaziboni, Luke Fairlamb and Lewis Wilson have all had spells with Rushden.

United will go into the game in confident mood after back to back wins over Stourbridge and on Tuesday evening against Needham Market. Those six points have raised hopes amongst Puritan supporters that with a good run between now and the end of the season, a place in the play-offs might still not be beyond the realms of possibility. But with Rushden equal on points with United but with them having two games in hand, realistically it is surely a “must win game” for United to keep those hopes alive.

Matchday Tickets (pay at turnstile):

£10 – Adult
£7 – Senior Citizens - 65+
£5 – Students (aged 19+, proof required).
£1 – 18 and under

Programme £2.

Saturday’s games is sponsored by Edd Frost & Daughters Funeral Directors of Banbury

Away supporters are advised to use OX16 5AB for their Sat-Nav as the club’s official postcode may well take you elsewhere!

It is free to sit in the stand

Hot Food available in the Clubhouse.

Free parking at the ground

The old Chiltern Railway car park on Tramway Industrial Estate is available for use, free of charge thanks to Chiltern Railways. It would be very helpful to the club if local supporters who know their way around were able to use this facility.

The club are again organising a food bank collection at Saturday’s game for the Banbury Young Homelessness Project based in Chandos Close, a local charity supporting young people aged between 13 and 25 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, disadvantaged or simply in need of some advice and support. There will be a drop off point in the Clubhouse. More details and a list of items that are most required can be viewed here

And please consider supporting club stalwart and matchday videographer Dave Shadbolt as he is doing the Banbury 15 Road Run on Sunday 15th March, running in a Banbury United shirt in aid of the Katherine House Hospice Details here

And why not have a go on the club’s 50/50 draw! One big prize and this has been around £200 at recent Saturday games – you have to be in it to win it!!