Leek Wootton U18 2 Banbury United U18 5

Following Last Saturday's late winner against Rugby Borough. Banbury United U18s travelled to Warwickshire for an away fixture against Leek Wootton looking to follow up with another three points. It was a terrible morning weather wise, with torrential rain throughout the morning. The game was moved to a 4G facility as the grass pitch was waterlogged.

The squad showed just a couple of changes to last week's victory. Noticeably Zach returned to the team following his trip to Southport with the first team, and Tyra was back on the bench following a spell on the sidelines through injury.

The team started the game well, and zipped the ball about nicely in the opening minutes. Some lovely interplay between Lucas, Zach and Josh led to Josh firing just wide of the post after 3 minutes.

Despite a lot of possession and territory Banbury didn't create too much in terms of clear cut chances - however that all changed after twenty minutes in spectacular fashion. The first goal was great team goal. Josh slid a great throughball into Lukas in the right channel, he unselfishly crossed the ball across the face of the goal for Lucas Webb to arrive and sidefoot into an empty net. 0-1.

Just moment later it was two! Zach picked the ball up just outside the area shifted it onto his left foot and curled a great effort into the keepers bottom right hand corner. 0-2.

Two became three just a couple of minutes later. An enterprising run down the right flank by Tom Gaskell, who passed the ball inside to Zach who hit a volley at goal from outside the area which swerved away from the keeper an into the centre of the net, the keeper perhaps could of done a little better 0-3.

A frantic spell of three goals in 8 minutes had Banbury firmly in control. FIn and Tyra came on in place of Lucas and Lewis around the half hour mark. Tyra was almost on the score sheet mo0ments after coming on, as he was put through on goal on the left side of the pitch as the keeper came out Tyra chose to attempt a lob over the keeper from outside of the area, but it flew just high and wide.

In truth as half time approached, Leek Wootton threatened a little more, and Banbury started to take their foot of the gas. After we defensively dwelt on the ball on the edge of the box, the Leek Wootton striker hit a strike against the inside of the post and it was cleared to safety. Another warning shot arrived just before half time as The Leek Wootton number 8 fired in off the underside of the bar but was a clear few yard offside when receiving the ball and the goal was ruled out.

Leek Wootton started the second half well, coming out with a renewed impetus, and pressed higher up the pitch. Despite this it was United who effectively put the game to bed, by pressing as Leek Wootton attempted to pay out from the back. Tyra was too sharp for the keeper and he tackled him as he received a back pass before tapping into the open net. 0-4.

To their credit Leek Wootton didn't let their heads drop, and replied with two good finishes of their own. Both fine strikes from just inside the area one from the left on 52 minutes and one from the right on the 63rd minute. It was disappointing that the U18 team had made life hard for themselves and let the opposition back into the game when they were dominant. But in truth for the last 15 minutes of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half the performance was pretty poor, and shows that their still plenty of room to improve. 2-4.

20 minutes from time and 7 minutes after Leek Wootton had got themselves back into the game, Banbury finally killed the match. This was the pick of the goals and one that would grace any game. Nathan kicked the ball long, Tyra battled with his defender and the ball fell to Zach around 30 yards from goal, he hit a beautiful left footed effort that flew over the keepers head and into the roof of the net 2-5.

Ollie Corney had to be replaced through injury following a nasty challenge by a Leek Wootton forward, and Fin was show a yellow card for a trip in the middle of the putch, however Banbury continued to create further chances as the front three were causing the defence all sorts of problems. Tyra almost doubled his tally, but after showing good pace and power he slid the ball just wide of the post.

The final chance of the game fell to Zach who picked the ball up on the left wing, twisted and turned through two challenges before hitting a strong right footed shot at goal that the keeper done well to tip over.

A good result for the side, albeit against an opponent not quite as strong as we have played in previous weeks. But important to follow up on last weeks victory with another three points. Next week a home fixture at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium against Sutton United U18s.

Full Time
Leek Wootton U18s 2 Banbury Utd U18s 5
Goalscorers - Zach Scott 3, Lucas Webb, Tyra Aitken
Assists - Lukas Wahlen, Thomas Gaskell, Tyra Aitken
MOTM - Zach Scott