The lads got pre-season preparations underway with a fiercely contested friendly against Rugby Borough.
With the summer holidays in full swing and a couple of injuries, there were a number of players unavailable. Defensively we were particularly short so Nathan stood in at centre back, with Jacob Humphries playing in goal for us.

The game started at a fast pace. Rugby were a technically very good team, and they were passing the ball around with confidence in the early stages. The Rugby side had 6 or 7 players without shirt numbers, it later transpired that these players were not actually Rugby players, a couple of which were definitely FFA (Football First Academy) players.

Despite Rugby's possession, we kept them at bay with relative ease early on, applied pressure and broke at speed to cause problems to their defence. On 5 minutes we took the lead. As Rugby attempted to play the ball out from defence, Tyra closed their keeper down, blocking his attempted pass. With Tyra now clean through on goal the keeper tripped him, and a penalty as awarded. The offence was a clear red card, but with the fixture only being a friendly game, no further punishment was given. Tyra stepped up to take the penalty himself and coolly slotted it to the right of the keeper 1-0.

The game continued to be played in a similar fashion, Rugby controlling most of the ball with little threat, whilst United soaked up the pressure and looked dangerous on the break.

16 minutes on the clock, and it was case of Deja-vu. This time Toby got away down the wing, got inside of his marker and ran into the box. The defender couldn't stop him fairly and he was hauled down to the ground for another penalty. Tyra once more stepping up and firing down the centre of the goal 2-0.

Rugby were shocked into life, and their possession was beginning to become a little more threatening. They were awarded a free kick on the right side of the pitch. An excellent delivery was put in and a Rugby player was unmarked to head at goal. Jacob pulling of an excellent save down low to his right.

On 20 minutes we made our first changes with Jack F, Jack A and Hayden entering the pitch. It almost produced an instant impact. Jack A finding some space in the centre of the pitch to release a throughball for Jack F to run onto, he got there before the defender, only for his shot at goal to be well saved by the keeper.

The next chance fell to Rugby, and it was a golden opportunity to get back into the game. Again we failed to deal with a cross into the box. The Rugby attacker connected well with the ball, but Jacob again making an excellent fingertip save to turn onto the post.

The game was quite end to end at this point. Chances coming at both ends. George was getting on the ball in the middle of the pitch, and playing some excellent balls out wide. Toby raced onto one of these balls and stood up an excellent cross into the box. Jack F got above his marker and headed the ball down towards goal, unfortunately it struck the bottom of the post and was cleared away to danger.

George also hit an excellent long range free kick, that just missed the top corner.

At half time the lads were winning 2-0 but knew they were in a real game, against a very strong opposition. We were pleased with the shape of the team, but wanted the lads to become a little better in possession.

At the start of the second half Jack A and a Rugby player clashed heads as they tussled for the ball on the touchline. Jack's front tooth was broken clean in half, and the Rugby player had a nasty cut to the back of his head. I hope both players are feeling ok this morning!!
The incident seemed to have a positive effect on Rugby, and our lads seemed to switch off.

Rugby got themselves back in the game in the 48th minute. In what is becoming a real achilles heel for the side, another set piece delivery into the box caused confusion, and the loose ball was prodded into the goal. 2-1.

At this point Rugby were on top, and were having the majority of possession and territory. We did have one chance on the break but Jack F couldn't quite find the top corner when hitting a shot from just inside the box with the outside of his foot.

Rugby continued to press, and deservedly found themselves level. The lively striker (Quinn from FFA) was giving Nathan and Aidan a difficult evening. After we gave the ball away sloppily he found himself with time and space just outside the penalty area and fired the ball into the top corner of the net. An excellent finish, but he was afforded far too much time and space, and wasn't closed down quick enough, with too bigger a gap between defense and midfield. 2-2. GAME ON!

The tails were up in the Rugby team, and their coaches were also incredibly pumped. For the majority of what remained of the game the two Rugby coaches were on our side of the pitch, and 5 yards on the field of play too. Loudly shouting and gesticulating at their players, you could be forgiven for thinking that this was not a first friendly of the season, but was infact a cup final.

Rugby completed the turnaround on 63 minutes. In what was almost a complete carbon copy of their second goal. The striker once again allowed too much time and space on the edge of the box and producing a lovely high finish into the top corner 2-3.

For the remainder of the game, the lads deserve tremendous praise. After seemingly being down and out, we pushed for an equaliser. Jack A had come back onto the field with half a tooth! Following a corner from Toby, Jack A rose highest to meet a header that looked destined for the back of the net, but the keeper made an excellent save low down.
Jack A also hit a powerful low shot from the edge of the box, that once more was well saved from the keeper.

As we entered the last minute, the Rugby coaches were frantically calling for their team to see out the time that remains without conceding. However to the delight of the United boys - they couldn't! As we threw players forward the ball was crossed into the box and Nathan who had remained forward from defence slid the ball into the corner of the net 3-3. This was the final kick of the game.

An exciting finish to what had been an excellent and well contested game. In truth a draw was probably a fair result. The run out was also great preparation for when the league games start on the 11th September.

Final Score:
Banbury United U15s 3 Rugby Bourough U15s 3
United Goalscorers - Tyra 2, Nathan
MOTM - George