After a hard-fought loss to St Albans City in the fourth and final FA Cup qualifying round before the First Round proper, Banbury United looked to bounce back at the Spencer Stadium against a Halesowen Town side also searching for consistency in League form. The Puritans came into the contest sitting fifteenth in the table (3W, 3D, 3L), and Halesowen tenth, with little to separate the two in terms of results.

Banbury were boosted by the return of a familiar face leading the line, as Chris Wreh made his first League start since rejoining the club. Wreh, who notched 23 goals and managed 13 assists, tallying up a remarkable total of 39 goal contributions in 46 appearances, played a talismanic role in Banbury's 2021/22 title-winning centurion season.

Banbury struggled to get a foothold in the opening stages, and it was the visiting Yeltz who struck first. The eleventh minute saw a Halesowen corner delivered into the box, causing confusion in the Banbury defence. Harding made the initial save from Jason Cowley's strike, but the rebound fell kindly to Alex Gudger who tapped home from close range to make it 1-0.
Halesowen continued to press their advantage, with Kyle Finn forcing Harding into another strong stop. Banbury's only sight of goal came via a Stokoe free kick from the edge of box which sailed over the crossbar. The Puritans were struggling to create productive chances, while Halesowen's consistent pressure proved a challenge and the visitors doubled their lead right at the half-hour mark. After gaining possession in the midfield through a stray ball, Halesowen found space on the right flank through Jak Hickman, then picking out Jason Cowley who found the back of the net.

The ruthless Yeltz found the third in quick succession at the thirty seventh minute. A clever move by Hickman again down the right found Kyle Finn at the far post, who headed it back down for Jack Holmes to volley it into the top left corner.

Looking sharp and eager on his return, Wreh had the Puritans best chance of the half, cutting inside and unleashing a shot that drifted just wide of the post.

Banbury emerged from the dressing room determined to improve a first half performance which saw Halesowen dictate the game and the Puritans without a real sniff of goal. Halesowen did find themselves under defensive pressure, with four consecutive Banbury corners to nullify, but none of which forced a final product.

Shifts around the hour mark saw Lawson and Abimbola replace Jones and Stokoe, with Styche later introduced for Wreh for fresh attacking impetus. Despite enjoying more of the ball, particularly down the left where Abimbola looked lively and caused problems, the Puritans struggled to convert possession into clear-cut opportunities. A Styche free-kick in the sixty sixth minute, from a promising position, struck the wall, a moment that epitomised the afternoon's frustrations in front of goal.
Halesowen remained resolute and well-organised in defence and nearly added a fourth just before the end of the game. Harding came out to collect a long ball over the high line, but was beaten by Cowley whose volleyed shot towards the open net fell just wide.

A poor day at the office for Banbury, a defeat at home which leaves the Puritans with plenty to consider as they return to League action on Tuesday twenty first October against Kettering Town who currently sit tenth in the League.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Josh Flanagan, Keegan Bloom, Aaron McCreadie, Yaw Ofosu (captain), Nico Jones (59 Mins. Peter Abimbola), George Ball, Alex Prosser (72 mins. Harley Giles), Chris Wreh (64 mins. Reece Styche), Luke Stokoe (59 mins. Jonathan Lawson), Joel Anker. Sub. (not used) Nathan Whyman)

Halesowen Town: Daniel Platt, Jak Hickman, Ben Cassidy (88 mins. Rahis Nabi), Josh Smile (captain), Alex Gudger, Todd Parker, Jason Cowley, Kyle Finn, Milan Butterfield, Fin Holmes (75 mins. Jim Kellerman), Reece Mitchell. Subs (not used) Stan Straw, McKauley Manning.

Attendance: 606

Thank you to Adam Coward for this match report.