Despite the final scoreline, Banbury put in an improving performance against higher league opposition in the League Cup first round tie at the TUGO Community Stadium today.

It was Maidenhead who opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a well taken effort. Banbury responded well and had chances of their own, notably Katie Kukla who saw her goal bound effort tipped away in the 23rd minute and was then halted by a last ditch tackle having rounded the Maidenhead keeper in the 25th minute.

Maidenhead increased their lead from a corner on 38 minutes. Banbury had the opportunity to reduce the deficit immediately when a Maidenhead player was judged to have hand balled in the area however, the usually reliant Katie Kukla saw her resulting spot kick clear the Maidenhead crossbar!

Just before half time, Maidenhead added another.

Half Time: 0 – 3

Maidenhead were the quicker to get going in the second half adding a fourth after only 35 seconds. Banbury didn’t panic and established themselves into a fairly even second half and were rewarded on 65 minutes when Rachel Aspinall’s pass was flicked on by Terri Fisher and Katie Kukla volleyed from 18 yards for a deserved consolation goal.

We resume league action next week when we travel to Charlbury Town Ladies.

Player of the Match: Ashleigh Souter