PARTY CAN’T DESPITE WIN START YET FOR REDS
BANBURY United will need to wait a further week before claiming the Southern League Premier Central title after Coalville spoiled their celebrations by getting maximum points at Leiston.
Banbury had achieved what they needed to do by completing a league double over Lowestoft at a warm and sunny Crown Meadow.
For the opening 25 minutes, Lowestoft had competed well, although the Puritans looked by far the more dangerous side.
A Jack Stevens free-kick was deflected wide, before James Golding’s shot was headed over his own bar by Marcus Wilkinson from the resulting corner.
Luis Tibbles was then forced to save from both Stevens and Morgan Roberts, who was clear through but stumbled as he prepared to shoot.
It was only a matter of time before Banbury would break the deadlock and the goal soon arrived after 27 minutes. A neat one-two between Roberts and Golding split the Trawlerboys’ defence for Roberts to slide the ball past Tibbles.
Banbury then doubled their lead in the 37th minute, but it was an unfortunate incident for Tai Fleming who deflected a cross from Stevens into his own net from a narrow angle.
Lowestoft came into the game in the second half, with Ryan Jarvis and Kieran Higgs combining
to create a shooting chance for Jake Reed, although his effort flew over the crossbar.
The Trawlerboys were soon mounting a good spell of pressure, but they were knocked back on their heels as Banbury added a third goal in the 66th minute. A poor defensive clearance from Lowestoft was picked up by Chris Wreh, who turned his marker before shooting into a far corner of the net.
Undaunted Lowestoft continued to battle away and were finally rewarded by pulling a goal back in the 76th minute.
Dylan Ruffles sent Reed down the inside right channel and he played the ball across for Josh Harvey to shoot past goalkeeper Jack Harding.
After the game, Banbury manager Andy Whing was unperturbed by the Coalville result and confident that they would easily get the necessary