Banbury United U18s 2 Sutton United U18s 3

Banbury United Under 18s suffered a late defeat against Sutton United this weekend, after being pegged back twice, and finally succumbing to a last minute goal, falling to a 2-3 defeat.

In truth it was one of those days where the performance levels were not quite up to normal standards, and things conspired against us from the start. Pablo was a late absentee the night before the game and keeper/captain Nathan felt his ankle in the warm up and was unable to play. Thankfully Jacob answered the late call and was able to race down to the ground to start between the sticks with just seconds before kick off!

Banbury had the first effort at goal on six minutes, Jacob played a lovely throughball to Tyra who outmuscled his man, and from a tight angle forced a sharp save from the Sutton keeper. Then on 10 minutes Tyra was this time the creator setting up Lewis to strike on the half volley but this time it went wide of the post.

Sutton were unlucky from a corner on 20 minutes when a corner flashed across the box, but a Sutton head could only flick the ball wide of the post.

The opening goal arrived on 24 minutes, and it was the first real bit of class of the day. Lewis won the ball back midway in the opposition half, progressed to the edge of the area and curled an effort into the right hand corner and past the despairing dive of the Sutton United keeper.

Unfortunately the lead didn't last too long, as Sutton were level on 32 minutes. The Sutton striker controlling and volleying the ball into the far corner of the net all in one motion. 1-1.

The lead should of been restored a few minutes before half time, but Zach's inswinging corner was somehow missed by a combination of Josh and Charlie from a yard or so out. A huge chance to regain the lead before half time.

Into the second half and a slight change of shape. The two wide forwards were not getting involved in the game too much, so a switch to 4312 to try and get Zach into pockets of space and on the ball more in advanced positions.

Lucas almost wriggled away from his man on 49 minutes after a good ball from Fin, but the keeper just got to the ball before he could get his shot of at goal, and Zach hit a shot wide from outside the box as Banbury started the stronger in the second half.

The under 18s then retook the lead on the hour mark. Zach winning the ball back in midfield. Driving towards goal and unleashing a shot from outside the area that the keeper spills into the bottom corner. The keeper trying desperately to claw the ball back out, but the ball had already crossed the line. 2-1.

A Sutton United defender was then booked for cynically hacking down Zach, the resulting free kick ended with Charlie trying an overhead kick that was high and wide.

In what was perhaps Banbury's best period of the game Sutton Utd found an equaliser. This one was unacceptable from a defensive perspective. A long goal kick, was flicked on for their striker to race through and score for 2-2. Ball watching, and deep defending allowing the striker to remain onside, a really disappointing goal to concede. 2-2.

The lads to their credit responded well, and when Lucas slid the ball through to Tyra the keeper made a good save one v one. The loose ball fell to Zach on the edge of the area, his effort was then brilliantly blocked to keep the scores level.

The game then got a little bit tetchy and scrappy, with lots of free kicks being awarded. Once again Banbury came very close to snatching it as Zach's corner was headed onto the crossbar by Josh, really unlucky as it rebounded to safety.

Jacob then had to be alert to make a smart save down by his right post, as the ball was volleyed back towards him following a cleared corner. Then as yet another free kick was awarded Charlie was sin binned for over zealous protesting - leaving the team to play with 10 men for the remaining few minutes.

The late sucker punch arrived as we entered the final minute, a ball was played forward to the left winger, it must of been a very close offside decision as the referee had the whistle in his mouth to blow for offside, however the linesman's flag didn't go up, so the winger raced through and slotted into the corner for 2-3.

In the aftermath of the goal, the Sutton defender previously booked was shown a second yellow card for delaying the restart. But there wasn't enough time for Banbury to create any further chances to equalise.

A disappointing end to the game, in a match where the team wasn't quite at their usual high standards. Despite this, it can be looked back on that on another day, the chances created would of resulted in goals and the end result could of been different. A tough fixture away to Rushall Athletic is next up for the side, where an improved performance will be needed if a result is to be achieved.

Full Time
Banbury United U18s 2 Sutton United U18s 3
Goalscorers - Lewis Middleton, Zach Scott
MOTM - Jacob Hayes