This was a game that was fairly equal for the first ten minutes but at his point the home side began to dominate the game. As the half progressed it was only some wayward finishing and some excellent goalkeeping from Amy Bourton that kept United on level terms.

Wealdstone though finally found their shooting boots in the 41st minute when although Bourton did really well to save a shot from a Wealdstone player from just 12 yards, she could do nothing to stop the rebound being slotted home.

Remarkably though, in the 45th minute Catherine Howse chased after a through ball and though it looked easy enough for the defender to deal with she hassled the home player won the ball and knocked it over the home custodian from just inside the penalty area into the net to put United on level terms at 1-1.

Even more remarkably, considering Wealdstone’s first half dominance, United went close to snatching a half time lead just seconds later when Josie Clark set up Howse but this time her effort under pressure from a defender and off balance hit the post.

United were much better in the second period and in the 67th minute they were in front once more when a free-kick from a central position just outside the Wealdstone penalty area was struck by Zoe Boote into the top corner of the net.

However, just 45 seconds later and some less than impressive defending saw a Wealdstone player loft the ball over an advancing and exposed Nicky Isted, United’s second half goalkeeper, into an empty net.

Wealdstone would finish the 90 minutes on top but with no further goals the game went to extra time..

Isted kept Banbury level with a good save four minutes into the first period of extra time but then United suffered a major set-back when striker Josie Clark was helped off after ten minutes with an injury and they would have to play the final twenty minutes of extra-time a player short, having used all their substitutes.

The numerical disadvantage began to tell and though United safely got to the interval of extra time still level just five minutes into the second period a good passing move opened up United and the ball was struck home from ten yards to make it 3-2 to Wealdstone.

It was a good effort from United to find an equaliser in the final ten minutes but they were unable to create the clear chance that they needed and so it is Wealdstone who advance to the Second Qualifying Round where they will play Newbury.

United begin their league campaign next Sunday, their first season at Southern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division level following their promotion last season, with a home game against Milton Keynes City 2.00pm kick-off.

Banbury United: Amy Bourton (Nicky Isted 46), Lucy Durnin, Rachel Dunbar (Jenny Hoggins 53), Chloe Stallwood (Kailey Hardy 74), Jenna Rhind-O'Neil, Sarah Rhind-O'Neil, Zoe Boote, Kath Faulkner, Catherine Howse, Josie Clark, Alex Ayckbourn.