All good things have to come to an end, and Banbury United’s run of five unbeaten games and four consecutive clean sheets was no more by 2.15 on Saturday afternoon when Telford got their first League win since the first game of the season. To be fair the home side looked a lot better than bottom of the League, but with no fewer than five loan players making an appearance for the Bucks, it was a different team that had represented them for the majority of the season.

The home side went close as early as the 3rd minute when a fierce snap shot from Nate Blissett hit the top of the crossbar as the ball went for a goal-kick but to be fair Jack Harding had the effort well covered. Two very well matched sides then battled well on an impeccable pitch, but some of the tackles coming in from their midfield, especially Jamie Allen, resulted in him getting a yellow card as early as the 23rd minute for the treatment he was dishing out to Ben Acquaye, similar to most of Banbury’s opponents as the only way that anyone can effectively deal with him. Telford took the lead in the 31st minute when Banbury failed to clear a corner and Coventry City loanee George Burroughs stabbed the loose ball home at the near post.

Eight minutes later, Banbury had bad luck when a Jack Stevens effort was deflected over the crossbar for a corner after being put through by Alex Babos.. It looked like Banbury were looking forward to the half-time interval as they tried in vain to break a resolute Bucks defence, and in fact the home side were starting to edge the game.

However, the game changed when Henry Landers doubled the attacking strength for the second half and the change in formation favoured the visitors more than the hosts as Banbury started to take more control of the game. Nine minutes into the half, Telford managed to hack the ball off the line as the ball bounced around the six-yard box, as Banbury applied the pressure, but still the home goal enjoyed a charmed life. In the 62nd minute defender Ben Radcliffe went on a strong forward run up the middle but was unceremoniously stopped as he approached the penalty area. The resulting free-kick saw Stevens’ place kick charged down by the defensive wall. Another free-kick in the 66th and Giorgio Rasulo put the free-kick over the wall and out of ‘keeper Luke Pilling’s reach into the corner to score his sixth goal in his last six games to put United deservedly level. Two minutes later, Rasulo went close again when Pilling tipped his goal-bound shot away.
In the 72nd minute, Telford got the all-important second, and winning goal in bizarre circumstances when in absolutely no danger, Harding rolled the ball out to Jay Williams, he passed it across to Radcliffe who’s pass fell to the feet of the unmarked Montel Gibson who drilled it Harding.

In the 79th minute, with Banbury looking to get back level, Acquaye was brought down for the umpteenth time in the game and Allen was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

However despite their numerical advantage for the closing ten minutes and stoppage time Banbury’s pressure brought no clear cut chances and it was Telford who celebrated at the final whistle.

AFC Telford United :- Luke Pilling, Adam Senior, Brad Bood, Jamie Allen, Byron Moore (74 mins. Bailey Sloane), Robbie Evans, Prince Ekpolo, Nate Blissett (64 mins. Kai Williams), Montel Gibson, Kobe Chong (81 mins. Abdul Sharif), George Burroughs. Subs (not used) Maison Campbell, Ziui Gabriel.

Banbury United :- Jack Harding, Connor Roberts, Sam Brown, Josh Smile (84 mins. Jak Hickman), Jay Williams, Giorgio Rasulo, Jack Stevens, Ben Acquaye, Ben Radcliffe, Alex Babos, Callum Reilly (46 mins. Henry Landers). Subs (not used) Josh Dugmore, Craig Hewitt, Ben Taylor.

Attendance – 1123