Banbury United U18s started the league campaign with a tough looking fixture away from home against AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
The match was fiercely contested, and both sides were committed to starting the season strongly - but ultimately the match proved to be quite uninspiring with defences for both teams clearly on top.

There was a couple of changes to the squad from Wednesday evening noticeably Charlie Pye coming into the team for his first competitive match for the team, Max Fuller also coming into the bench. Tyra was unavailable in attack, meaning the side started with Lukas Wahlen leading the line without a recognised striker in the XI.

Banbury had a very good early chance when Brook managed to cut the ball back to Charlie, but his effort was blocked twice by the defender and then the keeper. From the resulting corner Lennon then headed wide.

Banbury were then indebted to Jacob Humphries in goal as he made a tremendous 1 on 1 save when the lively Rushden number 12 was put through on goal. Jacob was off his line quickly to save sharply with his legs.

The chance of the match came in the 19th minute. A corner from Archie Hamblin on the left caused havoc in the Rushden penalty area. A shot fired in was well saved by the Rushden keeper, but the follow up fell to Lennon who from a couple of yards out couldnt force the ball over the goal line - the keeper making an excellent double save.

As half time approached Jacob made another really good smart save in the Banbury goal, and Lucas Webb headed over from another good cross into the box - but no one could find the breakthrough.

Its fair to say that there were some tired legs in the Banbury side following Wednesdays match against Basingstoke and the defence and wingbacks who put in such a massive stint in particular were replaced to freshen things up. Lex and Max came on for Ollie Corney and Ollie Edmunds, whilst Archie Hamblin also was replaced by Leo Anderson, who came onto add a more attacking threat to the side.

Leo soon was in the thick of the action 5 minutes into the second half, but having been played through by half time substitute Dan Messenger, he could only drag his effort wide of the post

Rushden really created very little in the second half, and Jacob didn't really have a save of note to make. His distribution threatened to be key to making a breakthrough but some good openings were snuffed out - as Banbury didnt quite have the cutting edge needed to find a winning goal.

Both teams tried various tactical alterations to try and make a difference, Rushden using 5 of the 9 subs they had on their bench - an issue that has been reported to the league as Rushden refused to give a team sheet at the beginning and during the match!

As the match drew to a conclusion Banbury huffed and puffed to try and score a winning goal but Seb's late strike was well blocked and the resulting corner was scrambled away to safety.

Overall mixed emotions - a good clean sheet to start the season, and pleasing to pick up a point. However, a slight sense of disappointment that we couldn't pick up all three, and that we didn't play the fast, passing football we know we are capable of and have been showing in pre-season.

Up next another away fixture to Walsall Wood.

Full Time
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18 0 Banbury United U18 0
MOTM - Jack Kimber