Banbury United's afternoon got off to the best of starts when in just the second minute a Joe Coleman free-kick saw the ball pumped into the box but under a challenge by Banbury's Nathan Haisley then dropped by visiting goalkeeper Ian Brown as he attempted to pluck it out of the air, the ball then falling to David Stone who struck the ball powerfully home into the back of the net.

A Nathah Haisley shot in the 13th minute hit the post and then in the last minute of the half the same player had an effort cleared off the line. In between these incidents, though Bedford had their share of possession, the United defence dealt relatively comfortably with what the Bedford forwards had to offer.

Joe Coleman brought out a decent save from Brown early in the second half but United did not have to wait long for the crucial second goal when in the 53rd minute David Stone was put through and in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper competently put the ball into the net.

Joe Murrell continued to have a relatively quiet afternoon for the rest of the game as Bedford rarely looked like scoring.

A comfortable win for Banbury and the three points should go a long way towards ensuring Premier Division survival.

Full detailed match report to follow from Match Reporter tomorrow

Some photos from the game have now been added to the website:

Here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/banburyunitedfootballclub/photos/bedford-home-26-mar-2011-116937.html

Photo below shows Ian Brown about to drop the ball under challenge from Nathan Haisley, from which David Stone put Banbury in front in the second minute.

Banbury United: Joe Murrell, Malachi Farquharson (Ollie Stanbridge 67), Robbie Maddox, Delroy Gordon, Adam Learoyd, Nathan Haisley, Joe Coleman, Declan Benjamin, David Stone, Henry Roae, David Staff. Unused Subs: Aynsley McDonald, Ben Polk.

Bedford Town: Ian Brown, Graham Clark, Eddie Lawley (Seb Simpson 54), Callum Lewis, Stuart Wall, Gavin Hoyte, Craig Daniel (Ben Islam 75), Jamie Cole, Jermaine Ivy (Stacey Field 65), Ian Draycott, Tom Damon. Unused Subs: Nat Peacock, Michael Kavanagh.

Attendance: 243