With only two League games behind them, both sides were somewhat in the dark as to what to expect from each other, so the game started in a very open manner, but it was soon Banbury that were to take the upper hand, and on the balance of play early on, United took the lead in the 10th minute with some nice flowing play. AJ George worked the ball forward up the right, just inside the penalty area and when he screwed the ball back from the bye-line, Prince Henry had enough time to line the cross up before firing powerfully home from 10 yards to the ‘keepers’ right to put Banbury in front.

Leiston now had to open their play up, and to be fair, this they did with some aplomb. Against what may well be one of the best defences in the League that they will meet this season, whilst the visitors probably had the better of midfield play, Banbury’s defence always looked too strong for them, and to be fair, home ‘keeper Jack Harding had very little to do for the opening half-hour, whereas his opposite number, William Johnson was by far the busier of the two custodians. When Banbury were on the attack, it was something of a mystery that they failed to increase the score-line, such was their movement, both on and off the ball, and George Ball was almost unplayable as he moved forward on the right, superbly assisted by Harry Reilly, and with the front pair of Henry and George, inter-playing with Gedeon Okito on the left, Leiston did very well to keep the score down to the single goal. In the 26th minute, Oliver Yun did well to field the ball out for a corner from a vicious shot, and just 60 seconds later Banbury had the ball in the net from Yaw Ofosu, only for play to be pulled back, correctly, for an offside infringement. Leiston worked their way back into the game, but United were well worth their lead, as the interval beckoned.

However, it was a different Leiston that was on show in the second-half, and they came out for the second=half with much more ambition, and United had to work hard to keep their lead. Still Harding was well-protected by the back four of Tai Fleming, Nico Jones, Okito, and the colossus captain Ofosu, and Leiston looked somewhat frustrated as the game wore on. To everyone’s credit, only one yellow card was issued all afternoon, such was the proof that both sides were interested only in playing good football, and the referee has to take some credit for the way he officiated throughout.

Banbury United :- Jack Harding, Harry Reilly, Gedeon Okito (77 mins. Matthew
Donaldson), Tai Fleming, Yaw Ofosu (captain), Nico Jones, Gift Mussa (88 mins. Connor
Ferguson), Archie Hollyhead (77 mins. Keon Lewis-Burgess), Prince Henry (77 mins.
Dylan Reason), AJ George (90+1 mins. Harvey Westwood), George Ball.

Leiston :- William Johnson, Wyatt Hill (87 mins. Benjamin Batho), Oliver Yun, Fraser
Alexander, Kyran Clements (72 mins. Ryan Jarvis), Eddie Jackson, Ismael Botelho Faladjo
(72 mins. Jack Manley), Oliver Saunders, Ben Fowkes, George Quantrell, Jamar Loza.

Subs (not used) Oliver Griggs, Ross Jarvis.

Attendance - 550