The game took place in very difficult conditions with heavy gusting wind and squall rain showers. The latter had contributed to a very heavy pitch which made passing football difficult for both teams.

In an even first half neither team dominated with much of the game in midfield. Banbury’s best chances came from two long range efforts from Mark Bell midway through the half. The first the keeper, Tom Parry, could only parry but just reclaimed the ball as Ricky Johnson moved in. The second saw another decent save but the away team looking for a free kick after Bell was heavily challenged having got his shot away. On 34 minutes Charlie Wise received Banbury’s only card of the day after he was adjudged to have fouled in a dangerous position just outside the box. However the free kick came to nothing. Four minutes later Shortwood’s best effort of the game saw left winger Ross Staley bring down a long diagonal ball and hit the outside of the post with his shot.   

Bell went close five minutes into the second half when he curled a free kick from the edge of the box round the wall and King pushed it away to him left. Neither side were able to control the game and Manager Ford made two substitutions half way through the half looking for the three points. Joyce replaced Stanbridge and Browne replaced Bell. Browne’s trickery caused some problems on the left and Joyce linked up well with Johnson but couldn’t find the breakthrough. At the other end Shortwood twice almost took advantage of some hesitant defending but couldn’t get a final shot on target.

Surprisingly this was Shortwood’s first draw of the season. Banbury stood up well against a very competitive side, in challenging conditions and now have a week’s break to prepare for the visit of league leaders Cinderford.

Cinderford Town: Tom King, Sam Rawlings, Nick Humphreys, Andy Lewis, Nick Peare, Nick Hancock, Marley Thomas, Adam Price (Tom Moxham 85), Will Morford, Liam Meredith, Ross Staley. Subs (not used): James Singh, Alex Sykes.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White, Jon Steedman, Duran Martin, Charlie Wise, Andy Gunn, Ollie Stanbridge (Louis Joyce 67), George Nash, Ricky Johnson, Mark Bell (Darius Browne 72), Zac McEachran. Subs (not used): Miles Welch-Hayes, Nicholas Kalakoutis, Jack Westbrook.

Attendance: 91