Champions hit Canaries for six as drop fears grow
BANBURY United showed their Champions credentials with a comprehensive win over Barwell on Saturday, despite giving away a two goal lead in the first half.
Tristan Dunkley got the first Barwell goal and Ben Stephens got the second, making it twenty one for the season for the striker. Banbury, however, went back in front at the end of the first half and then scored three second half goals without reply to claim the win.
Barwell welcomed Banbury United on to the pitch with a guard of honour to recognise their clinching of the league title in their previous match. There was warm applause from around the ground.
The first chance of the game fell to Ben Stephens for Barwell but his volley was well saved by Jack Harding in the Banbury goal. The ball came back from the keeper and fell to Tristan Dunkley who saw his shot deflected away for a corner. After seven minutes, there were strong claims for a Barwell penalty as Tyler Haddow was bundled to the ground inside the area. The referee waved away the protests from the Barwell players.
A minute later and the visitors took the lead. They surged forward on the right hand side with Henry Landers and he crossed the ball. Max Bramley got something on the ball but it still found its way through to the middle of the six yard area. Chris Wreh was on hand to make a simple tap in. It was a disappointing moment after Barwell’s early pressure.
Two minutes later and that disappointment grew as Jack Stevens grabbed a quick second goal. It was a calamitous goal to give away for the home side with a poor clearance going straight to the Barwell man. Max Bramley was out of his goal and Stevens was able to loop the ball into the unguarded net. The Barwell faithful were fearing the worst with their side being two nil down after just ten minutes.
The home side did react well, however, and managed to get back in to the game. Before that, they were grateful to Bramley for a fine save on sixteen minutes when he stretched high to deny Morgan Roberts. Around twenty minutes into the game and the Banbury keeper managed to dally on the ball and was put under pressure by the Barwell attackers. A poor pass from Harding to a defender was seized upon by Stephens but he couldn’t make the moment count. Just seconds later and Tristan Dunkley did make it count when he put a rebounded ball in to the net to claw a goal back.
Barwell saw an opportunity for something in the game and after Giorgio Rasulo had struck the foot of Bramley’s post, Ben Stephens scored the equaliser. The ball was played in from the right hand side and it reached Stephens who was, surprisingly, left unmarked at the back post. He controlled the ball well and smashed the ball home to great celebrations.
The game was full of chances and they kept coming as the half entered the last fifteen minutes. Benjamin Acquaye went close a couple of times for the away side and then Chris Wreh managed to fluff a shot when unmarked and close to goal. In stoppage time, the third Banbury goal came and it was a real blow to Guy Hadland’s men who would have wanted to be level at half time. It was Morgan Roberts who got the goal as he controlled a cross well and put the ball past Bramley.
Barwell started the second
half well and there was a chance for Stephens to head the ball close to goal after William Edjenguele had made an overhead kick to put the ball back in the area.
Good Banbury defending meant the chance wasn’t taken. It wasn’t long after this when Banbury extended their lead with Morgan Roberts on hand again. It was a great strike low and hard past Bramley.
Just 12 minutes later and Banbury had their fifth through Jack Stevens. Jay Williams crossed the ball and it was left to Stevens to score a straightforward goal, his second
of the game.
The sixth came on 75 minutes when Chris Wreh got his second goal of the game. He had the ball close to goal but to the right hand side of the six yard box. The experienced striker did well to strike the ball in to the top of the net.
It was a difficult half for Barwell with Banbury looking dangerous but there were no more goals scored.
The result continued Banbury’s strong season at the top of the league but for Barwell the search for those final few points to secure Step 3 football next season continues.