Banbury almost certainly booked their place in the final of the Buckingham Charity Cup after winning the first leg of this semi-final at the Spencer Stadium 4-0

A much changed Banbury side had an excellent chance to go ahead in the 16th minute when Darius Browne knocked the ball forward from the half way line into the path of Leam Howards who got ahead of defender Aaron Bhasin before attempting to lob the advancing Dan Willett in the visitor’s goal from the edge of the penalty area, only to see his effort go wide.

Old Bradwell competed well as the half developed though and it was never easy for a Banbury side that play three levels higher in the football pyramid. However, Banbury would finally make the breakthrough in the 34th minute when a Browne low cross from deep inside the Old Bradwell penalty area on the left was met by Jacob Blackstock at the six yard line whose shot was chested into the net by Leam Howards from close range with the ball taking a deflection off Bhasin into the back of the net.

Six minutes into the second half and it was 2-0 when a Browne cross from the right saw Willett come for the ball at the six yard line but he failed to get there ahead of second half substitute Felipe Barcelos who headed the ball home into the back of the net.

Five minutes later a fierce 25 yard shot from Mark Bell was too hot for Willett to handle with the custodian only able to knock the ball out to the incoming Blackstock who struck the ball home from six yards.

Five minutes from time and Banbury completed the scoring when Darius Browne got his third assist of the game when pumping the ball long into the path of the forward running Barcelos and though Willett came out of his area and got to the ball first his clearance was charged down by the Brazilian 25 yards out with the ball falling nicely for him to simply knock the ball home into the empty net.

The second leg takes place at Newport Pagnell Town’s ground on Tuesday 5th April.

With Brackley Town Saints winning 3-0 away to Buckingham Town in the first leg of the other semi-final tonight, the odds look heavily stacked in favour that it will be a Banbury United v Brackley Town Saints final.

Banbury United: Bradley House, Richard Platt (Callum White 66), Michael Hopkins, Miles Welch-Hayes, Charlie Wise, Jack Westbrook, Darius Browne, James McCarthy (Ricky Johnson 72), Leam Howards (Felipe Barcelos 46), Mark Bell, Jacob Blackstock. Subs (not used): None.

Old Bradwell United: Dan Willett, Nick Bardell, Aaron Bhasin, Jack Wilkinson, Danny Cain, Joel Rodwell-Bullock, Mason Coleman, Peter Maxey, Ross Butler, Steve McFadyen, Pete Bentley. Subs (all used): Jamie Risebrow (61), Scott Parker (61), Aidan Rooney (61).

Attendance: 137