With the nights drawing in it was an early evening 6pm kick for the final pre-season match for the Under 15 lads. The team was taking on a strong Easington Sports side in what proved to be an evenly fought contest.

The game was being played at Wardington Cricket Club which will be our home for the 21/22 season. The pitch definitely shorter than we have been used to playing on, and a challenge we will have to overcome and in time use to our advantage over the course of the season.

The match started frantically, with a number of robust challenges from both sides. The players clearly knowing each other, and therefore there was a bit of needle between the lads. There was little cohesion to the play early on with the ball being given away cheaply by both sides.

In the opening 10 minutes there was little in terms of goal scoring opportunities, with defences on top. On 12 minutes however that changed and United capitalised to take the lead. An out swinging corner was fired into the box by Lennon, Jack A got himself in from of his maker to prod the ball past the keeper and into the net. 1-0.

A couple of half chances fell to Jack F and Finlay with strikes from outside the area, but these were comfortably saved. At the other end Myron dealt with a couple of long balls into the box, and the defence cleared a couple of dangerous corners.

In truth Easington were looking the better team as the first half drew on. United were not moving the ball quick enough, and when they did it was hopelessly lashed forward when more composure was required. It was only when Jacob got on the ball that we looked to play the ball out of midfield.

Easington deservedly got themselves an equaliser after 25 minutes, the ball was played into the box from the left side of the pitch and the Easington forward accurately flicked a header into the far corner off the post. The defending was poor as the player was unmarked and unchallenged in the box.

The remainder of the half was a little disjointed, with both teams huffing and puffing but ultimately creating little in terms of goal scoring chances. The last 5 minutes of the half were certainly better though as the lads started to pass the ball, and move it across the pitch quicker.

With a number of players missing, we were short in the midfield and wide positions, so players were asked to play unfamiliar roles for the team. This is so important as the season starts, with good depth in the squad and options available in different areas, it allows us coaches to modify the team as and when required.

Into the second half, and the game was still being fiercely contested. It seemed quite stop/start with lots of niggly fouls and pushes in the back. After 48 minutes Banbury United retook the lead. A goalkeeping error led to Lennon wining the ball on the right side of the box, he hit a low drive towards goal that found the far corner via the post. 2-1.

Easington didn't let their heads go down though, and were back on level terms pretty quickly. Another cross into the box was not dealt with and the attackers flick towards goal looped into the far corner of the net giving Nathan no chance! 2-2.

The final and decisive goal came in the 64th minute. The ball was worked to Lennon on the edge of the penalty area. He worked a yard of space for himself and whipped a lovely curling left footed shot into the left corner of the net. The goalie didn't move. 3-2 to Banbury United.

In the final 10 minutes the lads started to apply a bit of pressure. Finlay played a ball through to Will on the left wing, he beat his man but couldn't beat the goalie. Then following a lovely clipped cross field ball from Jack F, Harry got in front of his marker, cleverly lifted the ball over the keepers head, and agonisingly it hit the foot of the post, and was cleared away.

Easington didnt really threaten an equaliser a shot from out side the box hit high and wide was the closes they came, meaning the score finished 3-2 to Banbury United, and ensured they had the bragging rights as the lads get back to school in the morning!

Banbury United U15s 3 Easington Sports 2
Goal Scorers - Jack A, Lennon 2
MOTM - Lennon