Major League Academy Fixture
Banbury United Academy 1–2 ACE Academy (Bicester)
Venue: Banbury
ACE Academy from Bicester came into the fixture with intent and dominated proceedings from the outset. Their high pressing and sharp movement kept Banbury on the back foot for much of the game, with the home side struggling to find rhythm or retain possession.
Despite the pressure, Banbury took a surprise lead in the second half through a well-taken goal by Daniel Richardson, offering a brief moment of hope for the hosts. However, ACE responded with resilience and quality, scoring two unanswered goals to turn the game around and secure a deserved 2–1 victory.
The result reflected the flow of the match, with ACE Academy’s energy and attacking threat proving too much for Banbury on the day.
Coach Comments:
Banbury United Academy Head Coach, Mike Ford:
"We were second best for large parts of the game today. Credit to the lads for digging in and taking the lead, but we couldn’t hold onto it. ACE were sharper and more aggressive in key moments, and they deserved the win. We’ll regroup and work on the areas that let us down."
ACE Academy Coach:
"I’m proud of the boys today. We stuck to our game plan, kept the intensity high, and showed great character to come from behind. It was a complete team performance and a well-earned result."