Banbury went through to the semi-finals and a tie against Oxford City, after an exciting encounter against a young Oxford United side on Wednesday evening.

Both sides cancelled each other out for the opening period as the ball travelled from end to end without either 'keeper being troubled too much, although this would change dramatically as the game progressed. In the 15th minute, Jack Harding pushed a speculative 25 yard effort from Jack Stevens, round the post for a corner, but the first real chance of the game arrived in the 28th minute when Ravin Shamsi interplayed with Charlie Hawtin on the right before letting fly from the edge of the penalty area, and Max Harris in the Oxford goal made a brilliant save to tip the goal-bound strike round the post for a corner. However, just five minutes later, Banbury took the lead when a corner from the right found captain Ricky Johnson unmarked on the near post, and he rose to head home.

Banbury went close again in the 41st minute when Giorgio Rasulo jinked in between two defenders before shooting from the right, but his effort was a foot wide. Two minutes later however, United went further ahead following another corner when a prone Lee Henderson struck the ball home from 8 yards, following a goalmouth scramble, to make the score 2-0. Within 60 second it was almost three when Shamsi came down the left and cut inside, and Harris did very well to get a strong hand to the ball to deflect it away from going in at the foot of the post.

Three minutes into the second half, following a left-wing corner, Oxford pulled a goal back when Kyran Lofthouse ghosted across the goal to sidefoot past a stranded Harding from the edge of the six-yard box, to reduce the arrears. Still Banbury were pushing forward at every opportunity and in the 51st and 56th minutes, Oxford 'keeper Harris made two great saves from Shamsi, yet again, when both shots were on target, and then Harding reciprocated in the 62nd minute from Lofthouse. The game moved into four minutes added on time, and Banbury were again to curse their luck when Fabio Lopes equalised in the fourth minute of time added on, to push the game into extra time.

Eight minutes after the re-start, Lofthouse shot wide when he should have done better, and in the 113th minute, Harris yet again came to Oxford's rescue when Shamsi's (who else?) shot was deflected by Nico Jones and the 'keeper made probably his best save of the game at the near post to flick the ball round the post for a corner. One minute later and Lofthouse went close again, and the game moved into penalties.

Lewis Wilson converted the first for Banbury, and then Lopes saw his effort well saved by Harding. Jack Westbrook put Banbury 2-0 in front before Jack Stevens pulled one back for Oxford. Craig Fasanmade gave Banbury their two-goal advantage before Harding saved yet again (his seventh penalty save of the season!), from Leon Chambers-Parillon before Ricky Johnson smashed the ball home to give Banbury a well-deserved victory. All in all, a great game to watch, and congratulations to all concerned for a great spectacle of football.

Banbury United:- Jack Harding, Jake Walker, Lewis Wilson, Charlie Hawtin, Giorgio Rasulo (78 mins. Roger Ngaah Bosio), Ricky Johnson, Claudio Dias (69 mins. Eddie Odhiambo), Amer Awadh, Lee Henderson (61 mins. Jack Westbrook), Craig Fasanmade, Ravin Shamsi.
Subs not used: Ryan MacDonald, Charlie Barnett.

Oxford United :- Max Harris, Jamie Hanson (71 mins. Yoav Sade), Kevin Berkoe (106 mins. Sam Johnston), Fabio Sole, Victor Milton, Nico Jones, Kyran Lofthouse, Leon Chambers-Parillon, Stavi Spasov (83 mins. Tyler Goodrham), Jack Stevens, Fabio Lopes.
Subs not used: Jodran Edwards, Max Evans.

Attendance – 238