Banbury United U18 7 Alvechurch U18 2

It was second time lucky for this cup quarter final showdown, following last weeks postponement at Alvechurch. The league switching the fixture to the Banbury Plant Hire community stadium, and it proved to be an exciting morning of football.

A few changes to the matchday squad with Zach and Nathan travelling with the first team to Chester. Jacob Humphries was between the sticks, Archie Hamblin returning to the matchday squad for the first time since October following injury and Seb Kola coming in to make his first appearance for the team from the bench.

Banbury started the game strongly, with Tadi a willing runner on the left of the front free causing Alvechurch defenders a lot of early problems. Some nice passages of play in the first 15 minutes that didn't bring about the opening goal, and despite the dominance there was little of major goalmouth incident.

Alvechurch did grow into the game after the opening exchanges and Jacob had to be alert in goal to comfortably save a free kick from just outside the area. Lewis then had a powerful effort from 25 yards that was well saved by the tall Alvechurch keeper.

On the half hour mark, the coaches felt that a tactical switch was needed to try and get the team a little better possession, Seb coming on for his debut in the central attacking midfield position, Lewis moving wide and Pablo coming into the front three. Almost immediately Banbury had a chance to take the lead after Lukas played a good slide rule ball through to Tadi who elected to hit it first time towards goal from the edge of the area, but it was narrowly over the crossbar.

On 35 minutes United took the lead. A set piece was taken by Lewis, Tadi challenged for the ball in the penalty area, but it was cleared as far as Charlie who struck a half volley towards goal as he was falling backwards, and the ball flew into the roof of the net 1-0.

The lead was short lived however as just three minutes later Alvechurch were level. A corner was swung in and the Alvechurch number 23 rose highest to head the ball into the corner of the net our of reach of Jacobs right hand 1-1.

On the brink of half time Banbury regained the lead. Lukas who was putting in a really impressive performance in midfield, played a lovely ball through to Tadi, he ran into the penalty area and coolly slotted the ball into the near post, giving the keeper no chance 2-1.

Into the second half United spurned a golden opportunity to extend the lead, as Lukas got away into the penalty area from a throw on the right wing, he approached the keeper, opened his body and sidefooted towards the far corner, but it was inches wide of the post.
The disappointment of this miss was short lived as just two minutes later on 52 minutes the crucial third goal was scored. Pablo with some exceptional skill in midfield before playing the perfect pass through to Tadi, who once again waited for the keeper to commit before sliding it into the corner of the net 3-1.

55 minutes played and once again some lovely fast paced football, led to Lewis getting in on the left wing, he drove into the box and sidefooted wide, in what was almost a replica of Lukas's miss minutes earlier. Similarly however a goal was not far away, and it duly arrived on 61 minutes. Jacob Hayes playing a perfectly weighted defence splitting pass through to Tadi, who timed his run perfectly, before curling the ball around the keeper into the net for his hat trick goal! 4-1.

By now Banbury were well in control, and playing some scintillating football. Seb on debut was linking play very well, and after some good movement by Pablo, Seb fed him the ball inside the penalty area, Pablo beat his man and fired the ball low and into the corner of the net, clinical finish 5-1.

The sixth goal was arguably the pick of the bunch, Josh got away down the right wing, looked up and cut the ball back to Archie who was arriving late on the edge of the penalty area, he controlled a powerful low left footed shot that flew into the corner of the net. 6-1.

Josh had two opportunities to extend the lead, with the Alvechurch keeper making two really good saves. the second of which coming after a lovely first time ball from Cam was played across the box where Josh arrived on the six yard box and the keeper made a great save with his feet.

The last ten minutes from a coaches perspective were not ideal, as Banbury were a little sloppy in possession, and didn't manage out the game as well as we would of liked, disappointingly Alvechurch got a second goal themselves on 80 minutes. Once again it was from a set piece as a corner was met with a firm effort against the post, and the Alvechurch player reacting quickest to put away the rebound 6-2.

That wasn't the end of the scoring, and the icing was put on the cake five minutes from time. Charlie cleared away a free kick as far as Seb, who looked up and played a lovely ball through to Pablo to run onto from in his own half. The keeper who had raced off his line to try and win it was second best, Pablo rounded him and accurately dispatched the ball into the empty net from 30 or so yards out.

A tremendous second half performance in particular from the team, who now progress into the semi final of the MJPL Knockout trophy where they will face the winners of Harborough Town v Pershore Town.

Full Time
Banbury United U18 7 Alvechurch U18 2
Goalscorers - Tadi Chivenga 3, Pablo Marti Castello 2, Charlie McCloskey, Archie Hamblin
Assists - Tadi Chivenga, Lukas Wahlen, Pablo Marti Castello, Jacob Hayes, Josh Crossman, Seb Kola 2
MOTM - Tadi Chivenga