Having to play on a Monday evening upsets the normal pattern of Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday for playing matches and training days, but Banbury never let that affect the way that they took the game to Barwell.

Taking the field with just one change from Saturday’s starting line-up, Banbury needed to sharpen themselves up when a Leroy Lita effort was disallowed with just two minutes on the clock, following an offside decision. This was the only worthwhile goal chance in the opening 15 minutes but after a very level period of play, Banbury started to get the upper hand, and George Ball got very much involved.

In the 20th minute, home ‘keeper Will Highland did well to save from a fierce Ball shot from the left, to concede a corner. Five minutes later, a cross from the right found Ball on the left and his fierce volley from the left crashed against the far post and flashed across the goal, until eventually away clear, past the bemused Highland.

Against the run of play, Barwell had a rare chance in the 35th minute from a Jahvan Davidson-Miller effort, but Jack Harding saved well at the near post. Banbury’s defence were coping well, and captain Yaw Ofosu was a colossus in the middle.

Banbury were still the side looking more likely to break the deadlock. In the 52nd minute, Archie Hollyhead did well to head clear as Barwell tried to pile on some pressure. However, it was United who eventually and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty. The Barwell ‘keeper Highland was very lucky when he was given the benefit of the doubt from the referee when he rushed out to punch the ball clear, only to connect with Tai Fleming instead of the ball.

AJ George thumped the ball home from the spot to open the scoring for the evening. It was now a case of conserving the slender lead to earn all three points, and this United did with somewhat ease.

All five substitutes were to be used before time ran out. The best thing that could be said about the substitutions was that all sixteen players played as a team, and any replaced players or indeed their replacements made no detrimental difference to Banbury’s performance, with a true team showing by everyone.

Barwell: Will Highland, Jahdhan Fridye-Harper (87 mins. Johnson Gyamfi), Dfeen Master (70 mins. Olly Brown-Hill), Lamine Sherif, Herve Pepe Ngoma, Scott McManus, Leroy Lita (70 mins. Tristan Burke), jahvan Davidson-Miller, Brady Hickey (captain), Ethan Hill (70 mins. Cieron Keane). Sub (not used) Liam Castle

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Harry Reilly, Kgosi Ntlhe (60 mins. Matty Donaldson), Tai Fleming, Yaw Ofosu, Nico Jones, Keon Lewis-Burgess (60 mins. Claudio Dias), Archie Hollyhead (71 mins. Charlie Donaldson), Dylan Reason (65 mins. Harvey Westwood), AJ George, George Ball (81 mins. Connor Ferguson)

Attendance – 477