Cirencester were the first to settle, but egged on by an army of travelling support, Banbury weathered the early storm, and soon came to terms with the game. They took the lead in the 18th minute when Danny Edmonds attacked up the right and sent over a powerful cross which a defender deflected goalwards. Centurions ‘keeper Charles Steward made an instinctive save to tip the ball round the post for a corner, but when Ben Polk’s flag-kick caused panic in the home defence, Ricky Johnson rose to head Banbury into the lead.

Banbury should have gone further ahead in the 18th minute when Josh Blake was through, but he missed the goal when it looked easier to score, and the chance was gone.

Banbury never had to try too hard after they had moved ahead, but they were resilient at the back, which gave them an air of confidence which spread through the team. Even when they lost Tommy Kinch to a knee injury ten minutes before the break, they never lost their composure, and they went further ahead in the 41st minute. With the Town back line looking particularly vulnerable, Johnson latched on to a through ball from Liam Richardson, he moved inside before firing powerfully home from 15 yards to double his and Banbury’s score.

The goal of the game came just three minutes later, and completely out of the blue when veteran striker Jody Bevan let fly from 25 yards with a shot that would have beaten any ‘keeper in the land, and it flew over the stranded, and surprised, Andy Kemp and into the top corner to bring Cirencester back into the game before the break.

Seven minutes into the second half, United went as close as it gets when Josh Cole hit the post with a fierce shot from the right, following an attack involving seven Banbury players. However, United didn’t have to wait long to make the game safe when they added a third goal in the 59th minute. Blake used all his experience and craft to muscle his way past a defender on the edge of the penalty area before hammering the ball into the net from 15 yards.

Try as they did, Banbury failed to add to the score, and the home side probably had the bulk of the attacking play before the final whistle saw scenes of celebration from supporters and players alike, as another season draws near to completion.

Cirencester Town: Charles Steward, Aiden Bennett, Jody Bevan (Paul Banks 69), Jamie Reid, Nathan Davies, Jamie Dunn, Wayne Turk (Joshua Russell 79), James Mortimer-Jones, Zak Westlake, Scott Griffin, Jon Else (Ellis Dunton 69). Subs (not used): None

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Joe Coleman, Tommy Kinch (Liam Richardson 37), Liam Dolman, Ben Thackeray, Ryan Howell, Danny Edmond (Nick Kingston 80), Josh Cole, Ricky Johnson, Josh Blake (Dior Angus 75), Ben Polk. Subs (not used): Howard Forinton, Joe Eyre.

Attendance: 179