Goalkeeper Simon Tricker scores in the opening game of the season and Steve Jenkins, coming on as a substitute, grabs a hat-trick in April against Wisbech Town to virtually ensure the club’s Southern League survival.

The opening game of the season saw United at home to Eastbourne Borough and it was the best of starts for the Puritans, winning 3-1. Nathan Goddard put Borough ahead after eight minutes but United were level just before the half hour mark through debutant striker Ben Milner after he had been set up by Matty Travers. On 57 minutes Banbury took the lead when a deft flick on from Milner found Matty Gooderick who poked the ball home from four yards. Four minutes later Jimmy Simpson won a free kick just outside his own penalty area. United goalkeeper Simon Tricker kicked the ball downfield with Drean Lightwood misjudging the bounce and he was helplessly stranded as the ball gently fell into the right hand corner of the goal.

Simon Tricker scoring made the front page of the following week’s Banbury Guardian, under the heading “Goalie’s scoring strike”.

There follows a team photo for season 2001/02:

Back Row (Left to Right): Brian Robinson (Assistant Manager), Wally Hastie (Physio), Jason Allen, Ben Milner, Simon Tricker, Jody McKay, Andy Wallbridge, Terry Muckelberg, Jimmy Simpson, Russ Hayes (Physio).

Front Row (Left to Right): George Redknap, Ady Fuller, Jon Corbett, Matty Travers, Kieran Sullivan, Liam O’Neill, Matty Godderick.

An impressive run of results in October and November, including 4-1 home wins over Bashley, Jimmy Simpson, Ben Milner and Jody McKay scoring with one own goal, and Dartford, Matty Gooderick scoring two and Ben Milner and Tony Joyce getting the others. saw United up to 8th place in the table.

However, after Christmas, there were just two wins in 16 games prior to a home game against second from bottom Wisbech Town on Saturday 13th April and at that point United were down in 16th place but just a few points above the relegation places and on recent form supporters were thinking relegation was very much a possibility! The local paper was billing this as the biggest game of the season as a win, with three tough games to follow, was still needed to ensure Southern League survival!

At the mid-point of the second half, it wasn’t looking too promising for United as the forwards were struggling to find a way through against the “Fenmen” and break the deadlock. Cue manager Kevin Brock to throw on veteran striker Steve Jenkins, who had only rejoined the club from Abingdon United the previous month, in the hope his experience might make a difference. Within three minutes he was a hero of the United faithful when his deflected shot from just outside the penalty area flew into the net. It was 2-0 after 72 minutes when Jenkins was set up following good work from Matty Gooderick, Jody McKay and Jimmy Simpson before in stoppage time he completed his hat-trick from close range. The Banbury Guardian report headline was “United owe it to “Jenks”, with a head and shoulders photo of the hat-trick hero calling him “super-sub”, see scan below.

At the end of the season, United finished in 15th place, their position hiding the fact that they were just four points above the bottom two! It was the away form that had made it a difficult campaign, as there was just one league victory on the road all season! Leading league goalscorer this season was Matty Gooderick with 15 goals, followed by Ben Milner with 12. Kieran Sullivan was ever-present, making 42 league appearances with Ady Fuller and George Redknap making 41, Jody McKay 40 and Jimmy Simpson and Jon Corbett both 39. As for Steve Jenkins, just seven appearances, all as a substitute, with the three goals against Wisbech being the only time he got on the scoresheet but what a time to do so!

Hat-trick hero Steve Jenkins pictured in action for United

Goalscorer against Eastbourne Borough Simon Tricker with Assistant Manager Brian Robinson

Jody McKay pictured in action for United

Leading goalscorer for season 2001/02 Matty Gooderick