With a number of injuries following Saturday’s game against Bedford Town and the loss of Aaron Woodley, who has joined Oxford City on loan from parent club Oxford United until the end of the season, and who started for his new club against Banbury, it was a much changed starting line up to that from 48 hours earlier.

Josh Blake partnered Ricky Johnson up front, Ben Thackeray came in for Dan Chilton and reserve team player Liam Richardson, who has been involved with the first team squad in recent weeks, had his first league start for the club in place of Nick Kingston. Tommy Kinch had to settle for a place on the bench as a different set up saw Simeon Williams brought into the side. On the bench for United, though not used, was Southam United player Neil Stacey who had signed Southern League forms during the morning to help the club out.

The game was a tight affair with both sides struggling to create clear cut chances but one could not fault the effort that both put into the game with it being a typically competitive local derby.

United went in front on 17 minutes when Josh Cole set up Josh Blake and from inside the area on the left hand side he scored a well taken goal striking the ball past Jason Mooney into the far corner of the net from around 10 yards.

City equalised in the 27th minute when a cross from the right was headed back across the goal to where Darren Pond running in fired the ball home.

Chances were at a premium after this for the rest of the game, but despite this it was still an interesting and competitive game with both sides working hard to try and prise the important opening that might lead to the winning goal.

Michael Lyon was sent off in the 85th minute for a second yellow card after bringing down Ben Polk on the edge of the penalty area. This didn’t seem to make a huge difference to proceedings though United did have a late rally and put City under a bit of pressure in the final few minutes of stoppage time, of which there was plenty after a long stoppage midway through the second half for what looked like a serious injury to former Puritan Wayne Blossom who was carried off the field on a stretcher with a leg injury.

A battling performance from Banbury though a little more quality was needed to open up a resolute and very competent City defence on a more regular basis. Overall a fair result. Certainly an improvement on Saturday's performance against Bedford Town.

Match Report from “Match Reporter” to follow in due course.

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Joe Coleman, Ben Polk, Liam Dolman (Tommy Kinch 83), Ben Thackeray, Liam Richardson, Simeon Williams, Josh Cole, Ricky Johnson (Danny Edmond 90), Josh Blake, Glenn Walker. Subs (not used): Neil Stacey, Paul Lamb.

Oxford City: Jason Mooney, James Clarke, Adam Learoyd, Andy Ballard, Darren Pond, Wayne Blossom (Liam Malone 69), Michael Lyon, Declan Benjamin, Aaron Woodley (Reece Fleet 87), Lee Steele (Felipe Barcelos 77), Marvin Martin. Subs (not used): Alex Fisher, Mark Bell.

Attendance: 349