Darlaston Town U18s 0 Banbury United U18s 2

The Under 18s played what was their 4th away game out of 5 so far this league season on a unusually sunny October morning against Darlaston Town. The team were looking to turn around fortunes following two unfortunate narrow defeats against Brocton and Chasetown.

The squad showed a couple of changes with Jacob starting in goal, Arthur coming into the starting lineup, and Mick and Will coming into the bench from the team that travelled to Chasetown last week.

The team started the match a little sluggishly, with Darlaston enjoying the better of the early exchanges. Charlie playing at right back was shown a yellow card in only the 3rd minute for a tough tackle on the Darlaston left winger. Which meant he had to walk a bit of a tightrope for the majority of the match.

Jacob dealt comfortably with a couple of balls into the box, one header was saved low down, and his good starting position meant that on a couple of early through balls he was there to clear the danger before the Darlaston strikers could reach the ball.

It wasn't until the 10th minute that Banbury threatened the Darlaston goal, a good cross in from deep on the right by Charlie was headed just over the bar by Josh. A few minutes later Banbury had a big let off. Darlaston took a corner from the right and their midfielder player was unmarked connecting on the volley but the ball was just inches over the crossbar.

As the half wore on Banbury started to impose themselves on Darlaston. Zach had a couple of sighters from distance wide of the post. Lucas on the other flank the same, and Lewis after a strong run also fired just over the bar.

The opening goal of the game arrived after 30 minutes. Lucas took on his player on the left wing, appeared to have his foot stepped on removing his shoe just as he went to shoot. The ball fell to Lewis though around 25 yards from goal and he bent a side footed effort around the keeper and into the corner of the net for 0-1.

With the tails up Banbury doubled the lead just two minutes later. Darlaston attempting to play out from the back, got it wrong, and Zach picked the pocket of the Darlaston centre half, he was through one on one with the keeper and coolly slid it under him for 0-2.

It should have been three and game over on 35 minutes as Archie played a good ball through to Zach again, this time he turned his defender inside and out before smashing the ball past the keeper and against the crossbar.

One more incident of note in the closing stages of the first half was a strike from Josh that was ruled out for offside. A tight call, but i think the correct one on this occasion.

Second half came around, and the message was clear, to carry on in the same way as we finished the first, and that the next goal would be crucial for momentum. It turned out that there wouldn't be anymore goals, but the second half wasn't short of incident.

Another guilt edged opportunity to put the game to bed fell to Zach on 51 minutes, this time the keeper making a smart double save to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Two minutes later, some lovely interchange between Lewis and Will saw Will through on goal, but dragging his shot narrowly wide of the post.

On 57 minutes it looked like Darlaston were going to get their lifeline back into the game, a momentary defensive lapse allowed the Darlaston left winger to get to the byline and cut back. the ball was half cleared but ricochets behind Jacob and towards the goal line, but Arthur got across quickly to make a vital clearance just in time as Darlaston's forward looked ready to pounce.

Jacob had to be alert once more on 62 minutes, as a Darlaston player was through one on one, but Jacob done really well to save low down with his legs and the ball was cleared away to safety.

Darlaston players and coaches were getting frustrated. Feeling that they were on the receiving end of some questionable refereeing decisions. From a reporters perspective the referee appeared to have an excellent game this week, allowing a but of physicality, but understanding when the line had been crossed.

For the final 20 minutes the Banbury lads saw the game out pretty comfortably, and had a number of good opportunities to extend the lead.
Josh had another goal disallowed for offside. This time Zachs shot from just outside the area was spilled by the keeper, Josh firing in the rebound. Very tight this one - could quite easily have been a goal.

Lucas then scored low in the bottom corner, but once again the flag was up for offside. Shortly later Zach was inches over the top of the cross bar with another strike from outside the box.

In the closing minutes, Banbury broke and could of scored three times more. Firstly after good play by Josh, Will got his shot off at goal but it brushed the left post. Then more good work between the same players saw Josh fire a low cross along the 6 yard box - Will seemed certain to poke home but the defender appeared to get the slightest touch on the ball to divert it just away from him.

The final chance of the game saw the woodwork rattled for the third time. Lewis went on a mazy run, it looked like he was going to slip Will in, but instead beat another man before firing a shot that beat the keeper only to see it hit the inside of the post, and cleared to safety by the Darlaston defence.

A convincing victory for Banbury U18s, one that should probably have been more flattering. But great to get back to winning ways, ahead of another really tricky home match against Sutton Coldfield Town who knocked us out of the FA Youth cup just a couple of weeks ago.

Full Time
Darlaston Town U18s 0 Banbury Utd U18s 2
Goals - Lewis, Zach
Assist - Lucas
MOTM - Josh