Banbury United U18s made the short trip to Croughton, for this eagerly anticipated local derby matchup against Brackley Town.
This was the first team the two sides have met each other with Brackley generally competing in a league the age group above prior to this season.

Brackley's pitch at Croughton, it has to be said is the worst we have played on in the three seasons in the MJPL. This was made worse by the volume of rainfall we have had over the last few day. Making the pitch a bit of a 'mud bath' from minute one. It was certainly not a game for the purist, with slick passing football largely off the menu!

Brackley were a much bigger and physical outfit than the Banbury lads, and their game plan was clear from the outset, with long balls and long throws into the box the order of the day.

After a relatively cagey first 10 minutes or so, United had the better of the game, creating one or two half chances for Tadi and Tyra who were looking threatening. It was Brackley however who took the lead against the run of play. Our warnings about clearing our lines defensively in the poor conditions were seemingly forgotten, as a poor clearance fell straight to the tall Brackley striker who dispatched the ball high into the net 1-0.

Banbury United continued to look dangerous going forwards. Tadi and Tyra combined nicely, with Tyra eventually laying the ball off into the path of Tadi, who hit a low shot which the keeper done well to save. Zach hit a free kick from 25 yards out high and wide, and Lucas got into a great position with some lovely skill to beat his man, but his cross was intercepted when Tadi was in a good position for the pull back.

The equaliser arrived on 32 minutes, and it was a scrappy goal. The ball was crossed into the box, and following a scramble involving a number of players, Charlie could quite poke the ball over the line, but it eventually made its way to Zach who made no mistake and swept home into the net 1-1.

It was just four minutes later that United were in front. A through ball was slid through for the strikers to chase, the Brackley keeper who had an otherwise excellent game, miskicked his clearance. The ball fell to Pablo just outside the centre circle. Pablo lobbed the ball first time over the defenders and keepers head and into the back of the net. An inch perfect finish and a moment of real quality that lit up the match.

Shortly before half time Ollie Edmunds was unlucky not to score from a volley following good wing play on the right had side, the keeper pushing his effort away from goal. The match was scrappy and there were lots of challenges flying in, Brackley were very physical and were clever in the way they manhandled the United players away from the referee's eyesight. Dark arts maybe, but a lot was going on that wasnt seen by the match official, that was clear from the sidelines.

The story of the second half, was a similar one to the first. Banbury on top, but Brackley fashioning a couple of chances where United were the architects of their own problems. A risky back pass to Nathan was not the best decision five minutes into the second half the forward unable to capitalise as Nathan raced back to make it hard for him.

Brackley had two more chances in the second half to get back on level terms. Firstly a speculative shot was spilled by Nathan, but he made up for his fumble by saving bravely at the feet of the Brackley striker. Then a good long range strike was well tipped around the post by Nathan.

Banbury created numerous chances to extend the lead in the second half, but couldn't quite take them and in turn take the match away from the hosts. Good work from Tadi on the wing, found Fin steaming in at the back post, but the cross was just slightly too high and Fin's header was over the bar.

Ollie Edmunds who was enjoying a very good performance in the centre of midfield was unfortunate to pick up a nasty looking knock to his ankle following a robust 50/50.

Tadi, had a good low shot saved by the feet of the impressive Brackley keeper, and Pablo though he had extended the lead with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area. But the linesman adjudged that the ball came off or was close enough to Josh in a offside position to disallow the goal.

As the clock ticked down Tyra blasted an effort over the bar from the edge of the penalty area, and was then denied by a great save when his powerful drive looked destined for the net. After a lovely move Tadi, released Josh in space on the right hand side of the penalty area, he beat his man and elected to shoot at the keepers near post, just missing the target and the side netting was hit, when perhaps an effort to the far post was a better option.

The referee found over 9 minutes of injury time, and into the last two minutes of this Brackley were reduced to 10 men, when number 16 who had been running a tight rope throughout was dismissed for two yellow cards, following two very cynical fouls on Tadi and Lucas respectively.

United U18s saw the remainder of the game out maturely to emerge victorious, claiming bragging rights over their rivals from the down the road.

One more game before the Christmas break, away to Harborough Town next week, a really tough challenge for the group against a good side, and with a few key absentees for the match.

Full Time
Brackley Town U18 1 Banbury United U18 2
Goalscorers - Zach Scott, Pablo Marti Castello
MOTM - Pablo Marti Castello