Banbury extended their unbeaten start to the season to three games with a well-earned draw against a spirited Leiston side.

The visitors’ standout performer, on-loan winger Joao Rangel, immediately looked dangerous. As early as the third minute, he went close, forcing Jack Harding into a fine save after receiving a diagonal pass from fellow forward Adam Mills.

This early warning wasn’t fully heeded, and in the 20th minute, Rangel capitalised on a defensive lapse. Left with a simple opportunity, he coolly slotted the ball past the stranded Harding to open the scoring for Leiston.

However, just three minutes later, Banbury were level. Leiston goalkeeper William Johnson hesitated over a back-pass from one of his defenders, allowing Reece Styche to charge down the clearance and fire into an empty net from 12 yards, leaving Johnson red-faced.

With two goals inside the first 23 minutes, fans may have expected a high-scoring encounter, but both teams tightened up defensively for the remainder of the half.

Banbury began to assert more control after the break. The home side started to play some attractive attacking football reminiscent of last season, but - as was often the case back then -they struggled to convert their build-up into clear chances.

At half-time, youngster Joel Anker was introduced and caused Leiston’s defence problems similar to those Rangel posed in the first half. United went close in the 51st minute when Nico Jones made a surging run through the middle, his low shot flashing just wide of Johnson’s post.

Anker came even closer in the 64th minute after a jinking run into the box. With Leiston’s defenders hesitant to make a challenge, his shot from about six yards came back off the upright - agonisingly close to putting Banbury ahead.

The match remained lively until the end, with Banbury pushing for a winner. However, Leiston held firm and rode their luck in the closing stages to ensure the game ended honours even.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Josh Flanagan, Marcel Guzynski, Harley Giles, Yaw Ofosu (captain), Nico Jones, Connor Ferguson, Aaron McCreadie (69 mins: Peter Abimbola), Reece Styche (46 mins: Joel Anker), Luke Stokoe, James Alabi.
Unused subs: Max Fuller, Kian Mirnam, Nathan Whyman.

Leiston: William Johnson, Wyatt Hill, Sebastian Dunbar (captain), Kyle Callan-McFadden, Eddie Jackson, Joao Rangel, Fraser Alexander, Jack Manley (78 mins: Benjamin Batho), Adam Mills (88 mins: Billy Walsh), Ryan Jarvis (80 mins: Jude Froctick), Joe McNeil (57 mins: Ronnie Blois).
Unused subs: Marcus Mehew.

Attendance: 551

Thank you for your support. We're back at the Spencer Stadium, powered by egg, on Monday 25th August as the Puritans take on Stourbridge (KO 15:00).