The Puritans progressed into the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday with a competent win against their Dorset visitors from the Southern Premier Division of the Southern League.

United had to be somewhere near their best to defeat the Magpies who have always been a competitive outfit, but a mixture of hard work and team spirit saw Banbury through.

Banbury got off to a dream start when they took the lead in the 5th minute. Claudio Dias sent in a great right-wing cross which was flicked forward by Tai Fleming, for Yaw Ofosu to cleverly touch the ball home with the outside of his boot, past a bemused ‘keeper Gerard Benfield.

Banbury then consolidated their lead by ensuring that Dorchester were unable to put together any decent attacking moves, even though they tended to have more possession, it was not in the danger area, and Jack Harding was again, protected well by a stout defence that rarely looked stretched.

In the 34th minute, Banbury were somewhat unlucky when AJ George saw his effort just rise a little too high, with Benfield looking well beaten. As the first half neared it’s conclusion, with Banbury in the ascension, the hosts looked a little too strong for the Magpies in the first 15 minutes after the break.

On the hour, United went close again when a cross from George found Prince Henry in the middle, but his header went just over the crossbar. Three minutes later, the industrious George Ball was unlucky when his effort was deflected over the bar for yet another corner, and a further two minutes saw Ofosu’s effort cleared off the goal-line.

Substitutes were now being used by both clubs to inject some fresh legs into the proceedings, but Banbury continued to dominate the play and they made the game a lot safer in the 76th minute, when they doubled their lead.

After some great work up the right, George crossed the ball back from the bye line and Ball had the easy job of slotting the ball home from four yards. Banbury managed to see the game out, despite into seven mintes of time added on, Dorchester were awarded a penalty when their number 12, Shaquille Gwengwe was adjudged to have been pushed by Osofu, but he elected to take the spot-kick himself and powerfully scattered the cattle in the adjoining field in the final action of the game.

Banbury United :- Jack Harding, Harry Reilly, Matthew Ireland (61 mins. Matthew Donaldson), Gift Mussa, Yaw Ofosu (captain), Nico Jones, Tai Fleming, Claudio Dias (73 mins. Connor Ferguson), Prince Henry (90 + 3 mins. Harvey Westwood}, AJ George (90 mins. Charlie Donaldson), George Ball (89 mins. Tom Cartwright). Subs (not used) Dylan Reason, Logan Elliott

Dorchester Town :- Gerard Benfield, Jack Dickson, Oliver Haste, Matthew Buse (46 mins. Shaquille Gwengwe), Jordan Ngalo (captain), Thomas Bragg, Wesley Fogden (87 mins. Brendan Holmes), Corby Moore, Olaf Koszela (73 mins Luke Roberts), Wayne Robinson (73 mins. Kyran Samadi) Luke Pardoe (64 mins. Harry Hutchinson) Sub (not used) Ieuan Turner.

Attendance – 458