Despite losing 2-1 at the Spencer Stadium, it was an excellent display from Phil Lines’ underdogs. In the first half Banbury proved far too hot for shell-shocked Oxford to handle as they launched a range of free-flowing attacks.

Striker Mark Charnley was virtually unstoppable in the early stages, causing all sorts of problems for the Oxford defence as he weaved his way past experienced defenders.

Alan Judge in the Oxford goal had to be at his acrobatic best to tip an Ian Bowyer header over the bar but the custodian had no chance from the resultant Terry Muckelberg corner as Bowyer laid the ball on to Charnley to fire the ball home from six yards to give Banbury a fifth minute lead.

With Bowyer and Kieran Sullivan outstanding in Banbury’s defence, Oxford were restricted to just one worthwhile chance in the first half when a curled free-kick was well saved by Mark Taylor at his near post.

Meanwhile, Banbury continued to surge forward. Dave Woodland had a shot charged down and Charnley volleyed a fraction over the bar. Charnley ended the half as he had begun it, displaying great skill in a tight position on the by-line, juggling the ball with his back to goal and then lifting the ball over his head for Mark Sherlock’s looping header to force a superb save from Judge.

Unfortunately, though fully deserving their half-time lead, the fairy-tale didn’t quite go to script for Banbury in the second half as Oxford scored twice in ten minutes to win the Cup.

Peter Rhoades-Brown, the former Chelsea winger, equalised from close range on the hour mark after Brian McDermott’s cross was headed back by Lee Nogan. Rhoades-Brown then played a major part in Oxford’s winner when Mark Taylor did well to save his 25-yard free-kick but was unable to hold the ball and Tony Obi was on hand to strike home the loose ball.

But Banbury showed their battling qualities as they came back at Oxford in an attempt to save the match. Mark Sherlock fired inches over from 25 yards and Keith Mitchell had a shot well blocked by a defender as Oxford clung on for a not so famous narrow victory.

Banbury United: Mark Taylor, Terry Muckelberg, Kieran Sullivan, Phil Houghton, Ian Bowyer, David Burgess, Mark Sherlock, Dave Woodland, Peter Cullen (Keith Mitchell), Mark Charnley, Cliff Cousins.

Oxford United: Alan Judge, Williams, John Dreyer, Pedder, David Farrell, Malcolm Shotton, Tony Obi, Brian McDermott, David Leworthy, Lee Nogan, Peter Rhoades-Brown. Sub: Watson.

There were 984 at the game but remarkably, bearing in mind the average home league attendance that season was just 183, this was not the highest attendance of the season at the Spencer Stadium as on Tuesday 3rd February 1987, United were at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the quarter-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup in front of 1,103. That game also saw a commendable performance from United as it took a Roger Eli goal five minutes from the end of extra time to take Wolves through 1-0 to the semi-finals.

The teams in the Banbury United v Wolverhampton game were as follows:

Banbury United: Mark Taylor. Terry Muckelberg, Kieran Sullivan, Phil Houghton, Ian Bowyer, Richard Jones (Alan Buckingham), Mark Williams, Mark Sherlock, (Jerry Mansfield), Dave Woodland, Mark Charnley, Cliff Cousins.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Scott Barrett, Stephen Stoutt, David Barnes, Chris Brindley, Nick Clarke, Roger Eli, Andy Thompson, Russell Turley, Neil Edwards, Mick Holmes, Matt Forman. Subs: David Heywood, Mark Smith.

A photo of the Banbury United squad before the Oxford United game appears below. The players are:

Back Row (left to right): Brian Robinson (Assistant Manager), Robin Adkins (Reserve Team Manager), Kieran Sullivan, Dave Burgess, Terry Muckelberg, Mark Taylor, Peter Cullen, Cliff Cousins, Mark Sherlock.

Front Row (left to right): Mark Charnley, Ian Bowyer, Andrew Toole (Mascot), Keith Mitchell, Phil Houghton, Dave Woodland, Harry Smillie (Trainer)
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A scan of the Banbury United players profiles which appeared in the programme for the Banbury United v Oxford United game appears below:
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