Third successive defeat for Puritans

Slough started the much better of the two sides and had most of the early play, dominating proceedings. The first quarter of an hour did though see a couple of decent long range efforts from Banbury, firstly Elias Katsoloudi's fierce shot went straight at the goalkeeper and was comfortably held and then Marvin Martin flashed a shot wide.

Slough were though looking much more likely to score than Banbury. In the 16th minute Josh Hill in the Banbury goal did well to tip a goalbound shot from George Short around the post for a corner.

The goal that Slough had been threatening arrived in the 26th minute when a free kick from wide on the right taken by James Dobson was hit low into a packed penalty area where Short knocked the ball home.

To their credit Banbury responded well to going behind and in the last ten minutes of the half certainly had their best of spell of the game to that point, putting Slough under some pressure and which promised something for the second half.

Banbury's improvement towards the end of the first period continued after the break though seven minutes in they were indebted to Hill once more who did well to dive to his left to push away a George Frith effort.

However, just two minutes later and United were level when a Nkosi Mzungwana cross from the left fell to Katsoloudi on the edge of the penalty area who shot for goal, the ball ending up right in the top corner of the net giving Jake Somerville in the Slough goal no chance.

The equaliser boosted Banbury and all of a sudden they looked the better side. Just three minutes later Katsoloudi had a good chance to put United in front but when through on goal shot just wide.

However, just when it looked as though Banbury could even go on to win the game, Slough struck for the second time when in the 66th minute a cross from the left by Johnnie Dyer was met at the far post with a bullet header by Darryl Thomas.

Despite going behind for the second time, Banbury did not give up but their task got harder in the 77th minute when Marvin Martin received a straight red card after an altercation with Dyer.

in the 80th minute a good Banbury move ended with an excellent left wing low cross from Jordan Akenunle which went right across the six yard box but with no Banbury player there to knock it home the score remained 2-1 to Slough which is how the game finished.

This was a game that Slough dominated in the first half but to their credit Banbury hung in there and were much improved after the interval.

Though as last Saturday there was some promise in the United performance, and one couldn't fault the effort or desire even after going behind, they remain pointless after three games. United last lost their first three league matches of a season in 2002-03. That team then embarked on an unbeaten run of 18 matches, aided by the goals of a certain Norman Sylla!

Slough Town: Jake Somerville, Tom Moran, Ryan Parsons, Guy Hollis, Reece Yorke, George Short, Johnnie Dyer, Jamie McClurg, George Firth (Alex Witham 62) , Darryl Thomas (Ed Smith 71), James Dobson (Jake Parsons 86). Subs (not used): Sean Fraser, Scott Harris.

Banbury United: Josh Hill, Luke Cray, Nkosi Mzungwana, Jack Westbrook, Tanasheh Abrahams, Tom Ryan, Nic Evangelinos (Jordan Edekunle 57), Marvin Martin, Leon Simpson, Elias Katsoloudi (Jacob Walcott 63), Kane Vincent-Young (Shepherd Morombedzi 71) . Subs (not used): Saleem Masri, Odunayo Oke.

Attendance: 312