Banbury United make the trip on Saturday afternoon as they begin their FA Trophy campaign with a Third Qualifying Round tie against Peterborough Sports.

The Puritans will be looking to put their league form to one side and make progress in the competition, with victory over the Turbines securing a place in the First Round Proper.

It is the latest cup challenge of the season for Kelvin Langmead's side, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Exmouth Town earlier this month after a goalless draw at the TUGO Community Stadium was followed by a 2-1 defeat in the replay.

Saturday's tie will be the first meeting between the sides since 2024, although the clubs are set to meet again in the Southern League Premier Central at Lincoln Road next month.

Banbury United

The Puritans head into the tie after drawing 0-0 away at Worcester City on Tuesday night, a result which moved United onto six points from their opening eight league matches.

Banbury have recorded one victory, three draws and four defeats so far this season, with their only league win coming against Racing Club Warwick in August.

The FA Trophy provides Langmead's men with another opportunity to put together a cup run, and the Puritans will be hoping their previous experience of travelling to Peterborough can help them on Saturday.

The Turbines

Mark Duckett‘s men currently sit in the upper half of the Southern League Premier Central table, having made an encouraging start to their league campaign.

The Turbines have collected 12 points from their opening eight league matches, recording three victories, three draws and two defeats.

Their league campaign began with draws against Racing Club Warwick and Kettering Town, before defeats to Real Bedford and Stourbridge.

Since then, however, Peterborough Sports have found their rhythm. They beat Anstey Nomads 2-1 before drawing 3-3 away at Needham Market, then produced an impressive 4-2 victory over Rushall Olympic.

Most recently, the Turbines travelled to Leiston on Tuesday night and returned with all three points after a 2-0 victory.

Their cup form has been mixed. Peterborough Sports comfortably defeated Ipswich Wanderers 4-0 in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before being eliminated by Rushden & Diamonds, who won their Second Qualifying Round tie 3-1.

They will now be hoping to continue their strong league form into the FA Trophy.

Previous meetings

The last meeting came in February 2024, when the Turbines travelled to Banbury and recorded a 3-0 victory in the National League North.

Peterborough Sports had also won the reverse fixture earlier that season, claiming a 2-0 victory at Lincoln Road in October 2023.

The sides had previously drawn 0-0 at Banbury in April 2023, while Peterborough Sports also recorded a 3-2 victory when the teams met in September 2022.

Banbury's most recent victory over the Turbines came in February 2022, when the Puritans secured a 2-1 win at home. United also won the previous meeting at Lincoln Road, coming from behind to claim a 3-2 victory in December 2021.