Rushall Olympic U18 3 Banbury United U18 2

Banbury United continued their Junior Premier League season with a trip to high flying Rushall. The squad missing a number of players showed a number of rotations including striker Tadiwanashe Chivenga coming into make his debut.

Rushall who have only lost once all season controlled the opening stages of the match. Moving the ball around particularly well on the 3G surface they had the advantage of being used to playing on. Within the first few minutes United were let off when one of three tricky Rushall forwards evaded a couple of challenges before striking against the left hand post, before it was cleared away to danger.

Minutes later Jacob had to be alert to make a good save, as a strike from just outside the penalty area was excellently pushed away at full stretch. Banbury were finding it hard to get a foothold in the game as Rushall kept the ball very well.

Rushall then took the lead on 16 minutes, Rushall worked the ball well down their left hand side, the number 19's pace getting the better of the defence, he drove to the byeline, pulled the ball back for the Rushall midfielder to prod the ball into an empty net. 1-0.

Very much against the run of Banbury found themselves back on level terms on 22 minutes. A good move involving Lucas and Mick, led to Josh receiving the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the penalty area, he spun and hit a shot towards goal, that defelected of the back of Tadi and wrong footed the goalkeeper into the back of the net. A stroke of luck the team needed 1-1.

The goal seemed to galvanise the team, and gradually Banbury started to grow into the game. Strikes from Lewis and Lukas from outside the area were just wide of the goal. There was also a couple of good moves that were let down with the final pass when in good positions to threaten the Rushall goal.

Rushall regained the leader 4 minutes before half time. Once again a run from the Rushall forward past a couple of players wasn't stopped. He then managed to get his shot away from just inside the penalty area that was low into the bottom corner with Jacob no chance of getting too.

At half time Myron replaced Jacob in goal, and Fin, Lex and Ollie E were on for Lucas, Harry and Lukas respectively. Rushall started the second half like they did the first on top. Myron had to be quick off his line to make a diving save within the first couple of minutes of the half.
A couple more long range efforts from Rushall were speculative and easy for Myron to take.

The two goal cushion however came in the 67th minute. Rushall this time the recipients of a huge chunk of good fortune. Firstly, a poor decision from their linesman (a Rushall player) to award a throw in, the team didn't deal with and subsequently it resulted in a strike from outside the area. The ball took a huge deflection which Myron done superbly well to tip onto the post. However, the Rushall striker was first to react to smash the ball into the roof of the net 3-1.

The game appeared to be meandering to a Rushall victory, but following a change of shape to 433 Banbury found a goal back on 8 minutes. Lewis swung in a great free kick delivery which was not really cleared. The ball fell to Tadi, who smashed it into the roof of the net to give the team hope 3-2.

The team pushed Rushall back territorially for the last few minutes of the game, but despite some good crosses into the box, and a big shout for handball in the penalty area an equaliser couldn't be found.

Rushall took all three points, and perhaps deservedly so on the balance of the game. Banbury United U18s again showed great character to stay in the game, reduce the deficit and push for an equaliser against a team certain to be in the shake up for the league come the end of the season.

Next week a return to the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium, with a match against Sporting Khalsa.

Full Time
Rushall Olympic U18s 3 Banbury United U18s 2
Goals - Tadiwanashe Chivenga 2
Assists - Josh Crossman, Lewis Middleton
MOTM - Josh Crossman