Tomorrow sees United travelling to St Albans City for an FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round replay after the 1-1 draw on Saturday. Not the first time that the Puritans have been to Clarence Park for a replay in a national cup competition after finishing all square at 1-1 in the first game!

Tuesday 13th September 1983, 42 years ago, saw United at Clarence Park for an FA Trophy Preliminary Round replay. The sides had drawn 1-1 at the Spencer Stadium on the Saturday, Saints taking the lead in Oxfordshire in the 70th minute through Laurie Ryan before Banbury equalised from the penalty spot three minutes later, Mark Boyland converting the spot-kick.

United travelled to St Albans more in hope than expectation though, having failed to win a game thus far that season. And certainly, after Laurie Ryan made it 1-0 in the 77th minute it looked as though that winless run would continue. But, with just two minutes remaining, a Dave Woodland cross was back headed by Mark Boyland into the net to send the game into extra time. And then sensationally in just the second minute of the first period of extra time, Banbury’s Kenny Smith sent Shaun Bradbury away and he fired the ball home, a goal which proved enough to give United a 2-1 win and a place in the next round.

The Banbury United side at St Albans that evening was: Mark Taylor, Dave Woodland, Darren Watson, Phil Lines, Ian Bowyer, Mike McFarlane, Percy Hickman, Shaun Bradbury, Mark Boyland, Paul Lee, John Thorne. Sub (used): Kenny Smith.

Can today’s team emulate the squad of season 1983/84? We will find out tomorrow?

There follows a squad photo for season 1983/84, an action photo of Mark Boyland who scored the late equaliser at St Albans to take the game to extra time, some extracts from the matchday programme and a newspaper report of the replay game.

The players in the squad photo are:

Back Row: Brian Robinson (Assistant Manager), M. Simpson, Ian Bowyer, Mark Taylor, Dave Bristow, Mark Boyland, Phil Lines (Player/Coach), Dave Matthews (Player/Manager), Harry Smillie (Trainer).

Front Row: Shaun Bradbury, Percy Hickman, Mike McFarlane, Kenny Smith, Bob Stockley, David Woodland, John Thorne. Cliff Cousins.