Most people’s pre-season favourites for the League crown were Real Bedford, and after this performance, it is difficult to argue against that opinion.

Banbury pulled out a good showing against this season’s favourites and made the visitors work hard for their victory. United surprised their opponents by pushing forward at every opportunity from the starting whistle, and indeed they took the lead in the 9th minute when Aaron McCreadie reached the corner of the penalty area. His 20-yard shot caught ‘keeper Craig King cold and, although he got a hand to the shot, he could not prevent the ball from hitting the rear corner of the net to register Aaron’s first goal for the Club.

Bedford’s class stood out as they started to dominate play, and United did very well to compete. It was no great surprise when they equalised just ten minutes later.

Joshua Allen did well up the left side of the penalty area, and his pin-point cross to the far post left Jordan Ponticelli with the simple task of striking past the stranded Jack Harding and into the far corner of the net.

One could almost expect Banbury to wilt under the sort of pressure that the Pirates were trying to instil, but United fought well and were not overawed by Bedford’s quick, challenging play, giving as good as they got for the rest of the first half.

After the break, United had Harding to thank a couple of times as he made some good saves, particularly one from Ponticelli. Although the play was hardly one-way traffic, Bedford were always in the ascendancy, and they took the lead in the 63rd minute when defender Jack Morrell headed home from a great cross from Ben Stevens.

Banbury were now tasked with trying to get back into the game, and both sides were well capable of scoring more goals. Unfortunately for United, it was the visitors who made the game safe in the 81st minute when Allen got the all-important third goal with a well-constructed effort into the far corner.

It has to be said that Banbury will play worse than this and finish on the winning side. A very impressive performance from the Pirates, who were well worth the three points.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Jacob Scott (82 mins, Max Fuller), Harrison Mole (82 mins, Joel Giblin), Aaron McCreadie, Otis Castle, Oran Jackson, Connor Ferguson, Ben Nash, Levi Steele (captain), Rico Patterson (63 mins, Joey Evans), Joel Anker. Sub (not used): Emil Lulchev.

Real Bedford: Craig King, Drew Richardson (captain), Jack Morrell (87 mins, Claudio Kiala), Sam Cartwright, Andi Thanoj, Jordan Ponticelli (82 mins, Elliott Simmons), Ben Stevens (87 mins, Archie Jones), Conor Tee, Shaheim Ward, Sam Collins, Josh Allen. Subs (not used): Thomas Hitchcock, Owen Brooks.