Banbury United U18 3 Strachan Football Foundation U18 1

There was a break from league action this morning as the under 18s played in the MJPL League cup against Coventry based Strachan Football Foundation (SFF). The visitors from the midlands were coached this morning by none other than England U21 manager Lee Carsley, a welcome visitor to the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium.

The squad showed a couple of changes from last weeks defeat against Coton Green with Zach unavailable on first team duties and Mick returning to the side. There was also a change in shape from last weekends match with the team reverting to a back four, knowing the forward threat the opposition would pose.

Banbury started the game strongly, and got into a couple of really good positions early on, one superb cross from the right wing by Tadi was begging for someone to get on the end of, but evaded everyone and went flashing across the goal. SFF will feel slightly aggrieved not to of been awarded a penalty when Jack bundled over the dangerous number 7 in the box. The referee deeming contact minimal and play was waved on.

United took the lead on 15 minutes. Lewis, fresh from his heroics for the first team on Tuesday night, nicked the ball from the defender and drove to the touchline, he squared the ball across the goal and Josh was on hand to get in front of his man and turn the ball home into the near post 1-0. Just rewards for Josh following last weekends abysmal refereeing decision to not allow a clear goal.

This seemed to provide SFF with a new lease of life, and they started to control the game. SFF were playing in a very aggressive attacking system with three forwards and wing backs causing our defenders a lot of problems. The midfield number 8 and two diminutive attackers 7 and 10 were popping the ball around well, and getting into some good pockets of space, with our defenders not knowing which players to pick up.

The equaliser arrived for SFF on 21 minutes, a good throughball was slid through the centre of our defence and SFF number 9 took a touch and fired low into the bottom corner for 1-1.

Nathan then had to be alert in the Banbury goal, making a couple of routine stops from distance, and then a more difficulty tip over the bar following a powerful drive from just inside the penalty area.

A moment of frustration from Charlie led to a yellow card midway through the half, as the ref failed to penalise two clear pulls of his shirt, before the reaction earnt him the booking.

Lewis had to be replaced 15 minutes before half time as he was suffering with a bit of fatigue in his groin, and was replaced by Fin in the attacking midfield role, but at this point SFF were still on top and had a good opportunity to go infront before the break but after some good interplay the forward side footed wide of the post when in a great position.

At half time a couple of tactical alterations were made with Ollie Corney and Mick coming into the back four and Charlie moving from full back to centre back. The key to our message was for Ollie to mark the centre forward number 9, allowing Charlie to drop off and sweep up, with the two full backs taking care of the other two wide forwards.

The second half once again started with United on the front foot, Banbury pinning SFF back into their half. However, on their first foray into our half they were inches away from taking the lead, some good play again led to the ball being played across our box and the forward striking the ball against the cross bar.

Fin had moved onto the left wing following Tyra taking a knock to the ankle, and he was getting quite a lot of joy on that side of the pitch. Fin broke down the flank and outmuscled his defender a great pull back into the box was crying out for a finish that wasn't forthcoming. Then in an almost identical situation Fin cut the ball back again to Tadi, who flicked the ball onto Lewis but he couldn't quite find the target on the half volley, and it was just wide of the post.

SFF had put so much into their first half performance and it felt like Banbury were really starting to get on top at this point. Lucas received the ball on the right wing, he beat his man and put in a tremendous cross into the box, Fin was arriving on the back post but he got just in front of the ball and couldn't get his header into the net.

Then on 70 minutes the breakthrough game. More tremendous play by Tadi who worked tirelessly upfront battling to make something out of nothing and playing a ball across the face of goal for Fin to tap into the net for 2-1.

The team managed the next phase of the game out really well, and limited SFF to very little, whilst remaining a real threat on the counter attack, and this remained the case until the 85th minute when the game was sealed. Lewis played a cracking half volleyed pass through to Josh on the left wing, Josh advanced on goal and looked set to get his shot away on his left foot, but showed good composure to chop back in onto his right foot and sidefoot a finish into the bottom right of the corner via the keepers outstretched hand 3-1.

Lewis almost capped off a great mornings football as he went on a lung bursting run in injury time, but he drove inches wide of the post.

An excellent result for the Under 18s to cap off what has been a tremendous week for the group with 5 players from the squad being involved with the first team in the QF of the senior cup on Tuesday at North Leigh, three playing the full 90 minutes and Lewis scoring a last minute winner.

The victory means we progress into the next round of the League cup where we will face Alvechurch away on a date to be confirmed.

Full Time
Banbury United U18 3 Strachan Football Foundation 1
Goaslscorers - Josh Crossman 2, Finlay Hennessy
Assists - Lewis Middleton 2, Tadi Chivenga
MOTM - Tadi Chivenga