Neither team got into the game for the first 15 minutes with no real chances and both teams seemingly weighing their opposition up to find the best approach for the game. 18 minutes in Jak Hickman was adjudged to have brought down a Chester player in the penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot. The penalty was tucked away into the bottom left hand corner by Kurt Willoughby giving the visitors the lead. However, this seemed to encourage the Banbury players and only five minutes later, Sam Brown drilled a lovely low ball across goal, which deflected off Chester’s Liam Edwards and into the back of his own net.

Towards the end of the first half, Chester had a few opportunities to get back into the lead with Joe Lynch having the best attempt in the 36th minute but his shot went narrowly past the left post. Banbury’s solid defence at the end of the half saw them get to half time with the score still level at 1-1.

After the break, the Puritans came out looking the better team with a chance from Ben Acquaye in the 48th minute hitting the side netting from a narrow angle and another chance a minute later, which saw Alex Babos hit one straight at the keeper from just outside the area, after Acquaye laid the ball back to him following some magical footwork to beat a couple of defenders on the left hand side. Banbury kept the pressure up with Giorgio Rasulo hitting a beautifully struck free kick to the top left corner, but it was saved by Chester keeper, Harry Tyrer.

In the 64th minute Acquaye took the ball past two defenders and into the penalty area, set the ball back to Rasulo who took a shot which was deflected past a helpless Harry Tyrer and into the goal to give Banbury a 2-1 lead. Banbury put in a massive effort defensively towards the end of the game… however, in the 87th minute a looped ball across the Banbury goal was headed in at the back post by Anthony Dudley putting the teams back level at 2-2.

The last chance of the game came for Banbury in the third minute of stoppage time, when Slavi Spasov cut inside and took a left footed shot. Unfortunately for the Puritans it was a weak shot straight at the keeper and the game finished 2-2.

A good result for Banbury nonetheless, a draw against 5th in the league, which keeps the Puritans 13th and should give the team a lot of confidence going into Saturday’s fixture against Buxton.

Team- 1. Jack Harding, 12. Jak Hickman, 15. Ben Radcliffe, 6. Jay Williams, 3. Sam Brown, 11. Ben Acquaye, (Sub 83’ 20. Callum Reilly ) 4. Josh Smile, 19. Alex Babos, 8. Gio Rasulo (Capt), 17. Louis Walsh, 9. Slavi Spasov. Subs unused - 13. Ben Taylor, 7. Henry Landers, 14. Aiden Hawtin, 16. Josh Dugmore

Photo shows Josh Smile selected as Man of the Match by Match Sponsors - Graf