TOWN’S TALL TAYL HEADS IN

STRATFORD T 2 BANBURY U 0

STRATFORD turned in one of their best performances of the season as they dented Banbury’s play-off hopes.

Town took the lead in the sixth minute when Mike Taylor used his strength to bustle past a couple of defenders down the right to reach the byline. Taylor pulled the ball back to Will Grocott, who swept it past the Puritans keeper Jack Harding from eight yards.

Banbury looked to hit back as Niall Cooper had to block Tom Winters’ fierce effort.

Home keeper Cooper again kept Stratford’s lead intact on 25 minutes as he superbly pushed behind Luke Carnell’s volley.

Town went two up against the run of play four minutes before the break when Wayne Thomas – making his debut on loan from Kidderminster – had a rasping drive parried by Harding. As the ball looped behind the Banbury stopper, Taylor reacted the quickest to head in from barely a yard out.

Right on half-time, a reflex save from Harding kept out another header from Taylor.

Manny Duku went close on the hour but couldn’t break through the Stratford defence.

The Puritans last chance of rescuing a point disappeared in the 82nd minute when Ricky Johnson’s penalty was beaten away by Cooper.