In what was basically a one-sided affair, it is Banbury United who go into today’s 2nd round qualifying draw after an overall impressive performance at the Cossham Street Stadium.

Whilst the 1-0 scoreline indicated to absent supporters that it may have been a close encounter, Mangotsfield only managed one first-half attack, shortly before the interval, as the Banbury midfield had almost complete control of things against a well-trained ‘Field’ team that showed why they had only been beaten once this season. The Puritans were without their unavailable captain, Yaw Ofosu, but Josh Flanagan filled in well with Keegan Bloom moving in to the right back role. Jack Harding had hardly anything to do for long periods of the game as Banbury went in a goal ahead at the interval when Reece Styche was brought down in the penalty area in the 40th minute, and he quickly despatched the spot-kick to register his sixth goal of the season.

The main cause of concern for the management team must have been the amount of missed chances that came Banbury’s way. As early as the 8th minute, the ball fell to Marcel Guzynski as he joined the attack up the left, but his effort rolled harmlessly past the post, following a long throw from Connor Ferguson, the first long throw of many as Banbury piled on the early pressure. Then in the 19th minute Joel Anker went close when he received a good ball from Luke Stokoe, which was eventually cleared at the fourth attempt after the ball bounced around the 18 yard box, waiting for the ‘killer’ touch.

Almost on the half-hour, following yet another corner Peter Abimbola saw his header just clear the crossbar, one of many chances that fell to the impressive midfielder as United pressed for the opening goal. Ten minutes later, the penalty arrived and Banbury went in at the interval, a very important goal in front.

Four minutes after the break Anker put the ball through to Guzynski, but he powered his shot just over the crossbar, but the move underlined how well these two lads work together. Then, five minutes later, ‘keeper Ellis Packer did well when a shot from Abimbola stung his hands as he palmed the ball away. Four minutes after this, it was Stokoe’s turn to be denied by Parker as he tipped the ball over the bar, after the home side had lost the ball trying to play the ball upfield. In the 65th minute, that man Abimbola was just a little too high with his header after Styche had played him in. In the 73rd minute it was Anker’s turn when he fired the ball over the bar after Bloom had played a pass through to him.

The 78th minute saw Abimbola again try something spectacular from the left but his fierce drive from a narrow angle beat the ‘keeper but scraped the wrong side of the crossbar, as Banbury continued to batter the home side. The final action came five minutes from the end when Parker made a good save from Guzynski.

It has to be said that even though, on paper, the score was only one penalty goal to nil, this had to be one of the most one-sided game seen for a while, and it was down to United working hard and taking their opponents seriously throughout the afternoon.

Mangotsfield United :- Ellis Parker, Stuart Tovey (captain) (69 mins. Michael Barry), Jeffrey Barimah, Aidan Sanfelice (69 mins. Cosmo Browne), Jacob Spence, Rudy Hill, Kyrese Morrison, Joe Porton, George Neill (86 mins. Harrison Kyte), James White (81 mins. Romiah Nevers), Archie Morrison (86 mins. Ben Shepherd) Subs (not used) Josh Jenkins, Arron Sweet.

Banbury United:- Jack Harding, Keegan Bloom, Marcel Guzynski, Aaron McCreadie, Josh Flanagan, Nico Jones (captain), Connor Ferguson, Peter Abimbola, Reece Styche (77 mins. James Alabi), Luke Stokoe, Joel Anker (86 mins. Jon Lawson). Subs (not used) Max Fuller, Nathan Whyman, Harley Giles, Kian Mirnam

Attendance - 408