The fixture will provide another intriguing test for the Puritans as pre-season gathers momentum, with Kelvin Langmead set to welcome a club with which he has a strong personal connection. The Banbury manager made 92 appearances for Northampton Town during his playing career, adding an extra layer of interest to Tuesday night's encounter.

The Puritans

Banbury head into the fixture unbeaten from their opening three games of pre-season after a 1-1 draw with Potters Bar Town on Saturday afternoon.

The Puritans equalised through Levi Steele, who continued his impressive start to the summer by finding the net once again. Steele has now scored in two of three matches, providing an early indication of the attacking threat he could offer Banbury heading into the new campaign.

Speaking positively to Puritans Live after the game, Langmead was pleased with the intensity of the contest and felt the match was played at a tempo much closer to what his side can expect once competitive fixtures begin.

The Banbury boss was pleased to see his players tested in that environment, but also admitted to some disappointment with the manner in which the Puritans conceded and with certain aspects of the decision-making throughout the match.

With the pre-season schedule now intensifying, Langmead is expected to make further changes to his side on Tuesday evening as he continues to manage minutes and assess his squad ahead of the start of the league campaign.

The Cobblers

Northampton Town make the short trip to Oxfordshire for what is expected to be another useful fixture during their own preparations for the new season.
The Cobblers are expected to bring a younger side to the Spencer Stadium, providing a different type of challenge for the Puritans compared to the physical and competitive test offered by Potters Bar Town on Saturday.

With a youthful Northampton side likely to look to dominate possession and play through the thirds, Banbury could be faced with a game requiring a different approach. The visitors' technical ability and desire to keep the ball will provide another valuable test of the Puritans' organisation, patience and ability to defend without possession.

For Langmead and his coaching staff, the fixture will offer another opportunity to look at different combinations while giving further minutes to members of the squad who may not have featured as heavily in the opening games of pre-season.

Match preview written by Will Hutchinson.