This was Banbury's first visit to Harborough Town, and the game ended in a disappointing result, with United restricted to ten men after only 27 minutes.

Harborough took the lead after only eight minutes with a long cross from the left flank found Luis Rose unmarked on the right, as he hoisted the ball over Jack Harding to give the home side an early lead. The same player came close again in the 16th minute, when Josh Walsh put Rose through, but the ball slipped away from him.

Banbury were in a difficult position in the 27th minute, a mistimed tackle by Alex Prosser on Walsh was ruthlessly dealt with by the referee, who promptly issued a red card. Banbury was now down to ten men and were refused a penalty in the 30th minute after George Forsyth had been taken down. They fought bravely until the 42nd minute, when Harborough increased their lead. An even longer cross sailed over the Banbury defence, and the prolific Ben Stephens scored with a far post header into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Banbury scored a well-deserved goal just seven minutes into the second half. New signing Connor Stanley performed brilliantly to set up AJ George, and the Banbury forward scored with a deflection off Alex Morris to reduce the deficit. However, only 6 minutes later, Harborough Town was awarded a penalty, and Stephens sent Harding the wrong way to put Harborough two goals ahead again.

A flurry of substitutions from both sides did little to affect the situation as Banbury struggled against the home team's larger numbers.

The final ignominy happened in the third minute of time-added-on, when Walsh added a final goal against the flow of play, making the final score 4-1.

Harborough Town: - Elliott Taylor, Daniel Cooper, Amarvir Sandhu, Liam Dolman, Ben Starkie (90 mins. Paul Malone), Alexander Morris, Connor Kennedy, Joshua Walsh, Riley O’Sullivan (81 mins. Freddie Robinson), Ben Stephens (81 mins. Jutorre Burgess), Luis Rose (70 mins. Daniel Forbes). Sub (not used) James Dadge

Banbury United: - Jack Harding, Tai Fleming, Tom Cartwright (58 mins. Matthew Donaldson), Alex Prosser, Yaw Ofosu (captain), Connor Stanley, Harry Reilly (80 mins. Twariq Yusuf), George Forsyth, Jaanai Gordon, AJ George, George Ball (72 mins. Chase Medwynter). Subs (not used) Charlie Donaldson, Archie Hollyhead.

Attendance – 305