Halse Utd 1 Banbury United U18s 1

Summer finally arrived for this late afternoon friendly match in Syresham as the Under 18s finished their pre-season preparation with this fixture against Halse Utd.

The setting was familiar having played here on Wednesday night against the same sides u21 team. The team therefore was freshened up with no fewer than 8 new faces in the squad for the game, as we looked to provide good minutes for the squad ahead of the league campaign getting underway.

The team came flying out of the blocks, Lewis had already and one long range effort well saved by the Halse keeper, before the side took the lead on 2 minutes. Some lovely link playing involving Lewis and Josh culminated with Josh flicking the ball into Lewis, who side-footed into the right corner of the goal for 0-1.

The next 15 minutes were very good. The side were creating openings almost at Will. Toby had three good opportunities, one was dragged wide of the post, one hit the side netting, and another was excellently tipped onto the crossbar by the keeper. Josh who has had an excellent goalscoring pre-season also fired high and wide when presented with another great opportunity to extend the lead.

In truth we should of been out of sight, before Halse had their first meaningful attack forward in the 21st minute, which led to a goal that was chalked off for offside. a long range strike from just outside the box evaded Jacobs outstretched arm and found the corner of the net, but the flag was up against the player assisting the strike.

The temperatures were high, so a drink break was well needed, but did seem to re-galvanise Halse and have a detrimental affect on our team, as the last 20 minutes of the half were a lot more even in terms of possession and territory.

Halse's winger number 16 hit a speculative half volley from the corner of the penalty area a couple of yards wide of the post, while at the other end Lukas cleverly lifted the ball over a defender, before hooking over the bar from 6 yards out.

Will A appeared to have caught the impressive Halse keeper out with a long range striker from around 25 yards, but he recovered excellently to tip the ball around the post at full stretch.

There was a few strong challenges from the Halse midfield players. Their number 6 particularly lucky to escape a yellow or at the very least a strong talking too with a reckless late challenge on Josh, and later similarly on Jacob. The play had become a bit scrappy, and at times we were guilt of overplaying and slowing the game down.

At half time there was a change of shape to 352, to try and influence the game more in wide areas. But the second half started similar to how the firs had ended, with little flow or cohesion.

Halse tested Jacob from distance, but he remained largely untroubled, until the 54th minute when he made a point blank save from the Halse striker who seemed destined to score, there was a crucial block from Arthur immediately after as we cleared the danger. A minute later Lewis was on hand to clear the ball off the line following a goalmouth scramble with our goal leading a slightly charmed life.

A Halse defender was then shown a yellow card for a foul much less severe than was previously unpunished.

Banbury then had a period where control seemed to have been restored. Josh had a stinging drive from distance that was well saved by the keeper, and Lewis weaved past a couple of challenges before striking at goal, once again a fine save by the keeper.

Archie delivered a couple of great set piece crosses into the box that we couldnt quite convert, and Toby escaped down the right wing with some lovely skill, but his cut back was intercepted just as Lukas looked like scoring. There was a number of openings throughout the game where our final ball or delivery let us down when in some dangerous positions.

The equaliser arrived around 15 minutes from time, it was harsh to say the least. Defensively we were caught out with a ball through to the Halse left winger, Ollie C chased back and made a great recovery sliding tackle, winning the ball and putting it out for a throw. Inexplicably the referee pointed to the spot, and to rub salt into the wounds booked Ollie for the tackle. Not the refs finest moment im sure, very harsh indeed. The Halse number 6 stepped up and played the ball straight down the centre and into the back of the net 1-1.

The rest of the game was scrappy, and had little in terms of goal mouth incident, the heat clearly playing a factor, and multiple changes to the teams disrupting the game. Lewis was booked for dissent, Halse had an effort high and wide of the target and Ollie almost got revenge from a corner, but couldnt convert Archies whipped delivery into the box.

Overall a slightly disappointing way to finish pre-season. Particularly after the good first 20 minutes. The team will need to improve next week for our league opener away at Tamworth, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism that the season ahead will be a successful one, with lots to look forward to!

Full Time
Halse United 1 Banbury Utd U18s 1
Goalscorer - Lewis Middleton
Assist - Josh Crossman
MOTM - Mick Antwi