After a run of eleven games without a win, Banbury at last returned to winning ways in their first ever visit to ex-Football League Southport, with an exhilarating second-half performance at Haig Avenue on Tuesday evening.

With Joe Ianiofano being recalled by Oxford City when his loan period ended, and with Connor Roberts, Callum Reilly, Josh Smile and Simeon Maye all injured, United took the field with just unfit Sam Brown, ‘keeper Ben Taylor and coach Aidan Hawtin making up a three=man subs bench. However, they defended as well as their previous game against Blyth Spartans, and Southport never really looked like scoring, being reduced to wayward shots from distance. The first chance of the game actually fell to Tom Costello but his shot from the right was fractionally wide of the far post.

Southport had the better of the possession during the first half, and Banbury were finding it difficult to make inroads in the opposite half, but they were very competent at the back and hard work and energy ensured that ‘keeper Jack Harding had little to do. Southport’s poor finishing when they did get anywhere near to goal was evident when a header in the 18th minute, a volley in the 20th minute and a fine save from a long shot in the 23rd minute were the only chances that they could muster from a period of almost total possession, midway into the opening half. However, things changed in the 40th minute when a corner from the left was met by Jordan Archer and his free looping header evaded everyone to sail into the net to put the hosts into a first half lead.

Whatever Andy Whing says to his team at half-time historically always seems to make a big difference to United’s second-half performances, and at Southport, this was very evident because from the restart, Banbury took the game to the Sandgrounders and imposed themselves on them as the whole team looked forward instead of back, and this had an unsettling effect on a surprised home side who had looked very confident before the break. In the 71st minute, Banbury were awarded a free-kick for a handball offence, a couple of yards outside of the penalty area, and Giorgio Rasulo was unlucky when his direct shot was fractionally too high, landing on top of the goalnetting. However, just seven minutes later, Rasulo was presented with another free-kick from a similar area after young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler was fouled as he pushed forward, but this time Rasulo elected to send in a cross from the right and the ball was met by Jay Williams who headed powerfully home for a deserved equaliser. Banbury retrieved the ball from the back of the net and raced back to the centre-circle to get the game restarted quickly as they looked for a winner, and just two minutes later it arrived. Elliott-Wheeler went on a jinking run from the right and as he entered the penalty area he poked a shot towards the far post. Southport’s Joe Adams desperately intercepted his effort, only to walk the ball into his own net to put Banbury into the lead. With time added on, United survived the final 15 minutes in fine fettle and were well worth their victory over a very disappointed Southport squad.

Southport :- Tony McMillan, Jack Doyle, Adam Anson (captain), Declan Evans, Joe Adams, Charlie Munro, Jordan Archer, Tyler Walton, Keenan Quansah, Josh Hmami (60 mins. Niall Watson), Jack Bainbridge. Subs (not used) Brad Wade, Connor Heath, Dylan Vassallo, Michael Carberry.

Banbury United :- Jack Harding, Kelvin Langmead, Jay Williams, Henry Landers, Giorgio Rasulo, Tom Costello, Ben Acquaye, Cody Johnson, Ben Radcliffe, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, Alex Babos. Subs (not used) Sam Brown, Aidan Hawtin, Ben Taylor.

Attendance – 644