Following an immaculate minute's silence for former Puritan goalkeeping legend Keith Baker who passed away recently it was probably fitting that this game should be one of the most entertaining and open games at the Spencer Stadium for some time. It provided good value to the 255 in attendance who saw United gain a narrow 3-2 win over in-form side Arlesey Town.

Arlesey started the better of the two sides and had the better of the first half hour of the game but it was Banbury who would make the all important breakthrough in the 31st minute. The goal came when a cross from the left by Aaron Morgan was well controlled by Leon Simpson with his chest about eight yards out, the United striker fired the ball goalwards and though it was blocked on the line by an Arlesey defender the ball only rebounded out to the waiting to pounce Adeyinka Talabi who struck the ball home from just three yards out.

However, the lead would last less than two minutes. Tom Ryan headed the ball back to goalkeeper Kwame Fordah for what should have been a routine pick up for the custodian but inexplicably under no pressure he spilled the ball out to a lurking Joseph N'Guessan and the former Puritan had the simple task of tapping the ball home into an empty net.

Seven minutes into the second half and United were back in front. Leon Simpson passed the ball through to Dominic Lawless in a central position about ten yards outside the penalty area. The former Bedford Town man then took the ball to the edge of the Arlesey area but instead of shooting opted to set up Nic Evangelinos whose shot from just inside the penalty area on the left took a deflection off a defender before looping up over the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net.

Having gone ahead for the second time, United now began to play some excellent passing football and looked likely to add further to their lead but in the 61st minute Arlesey equalised for the second time when a cross from the left by Barry Hayles from the edge of the penalty area was not held by Fordah and with the ball going over his outstretched hands Christian Tavernier coming in at the far post had a simple task of heading the ball into the net.

Two minutes later and Arlesey nearly went in front when a right hand corner pumped into the Banbury penalty area eventually fell to Luis Medina but the Portuguese's shot from six yards brought out a good save from Fordah with his feet low down to his left as the custodian managed to knock the ball away round the post for a corner.

In the 65th minute Medina came even closer to scoring when a quick break from a Banbury attack saw N'Guessan run through from the half way line and though his shot from the edge of the penalty area was blocked by Jon Mbamarah, the ball fell to Medina who shot over Fordah from six yards only for the ball to hit the underside of the crossbar before coming out.

Arlesey were now creating plenty of chances and two minutes later a goalbound shot from N'Guessan from 12 yards was headed off the line by Marvin Martin before the ball was then hacked clear by Luke Cray

However, in an open game, it would be Banbury who would go in front for the third time in the 72nd minute when Nic Evangelinos hit a low shot from a narrow angle inside the Arlesey penalty area on the left which Bonham failed to hold, presenting Lawless with an easy tap in from two yards.

United finished the game well with ten minutes from time a Lawless shot being well saved by Bonham and then three minutes later the same player firing a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area just over.

The second half was a most entertaining and open affair with both sides playing their full part in proceedings. Arlesey will consider themselves unlucky not to have got something out of the game but for Banbury it will be a much needed confidence booster prior to their midweek trip to Frome.

Banbury United: Kwame Fordah, Luke Cray, Marvin Martin, Kyal McNulty, Jon Mbamarah, Tom Ryan, Nic Evangelinos, Marcus Green (Anderson Pinto 71), Leon Simpson, Aaron Morgan, Adeyinka Talabi (Dominic Lawless 46). Subs (not used): Samy Balal, Ashley Dumbleton, Jamal Hackett.

Arlesey Town: Jack Bonham, Harold Joseph, Luke Abraham, Christian Tavernier, Andre Maltay, Kevin M'Bala, Jonny McNamara (Nathan Hilaire 76), Rohdell Gordon (Martel Powell 82), Barry Hayles (Stuart Farrell 71), Joseph N'Guessan, Luis Medina. Subs (not used) Liam McGovern, Hallellujhah Basmel.

Attendance: 255