Friday, May 18th, 2012
Banbury (Away 23.08.11)
The REDS went looking for their third consecutive win against a Banbury team who come off an excellent away win at Bashley on the Weekend. The REDS sticking to same line up which beat Hemel at the weekend, with Banbury opting for a 3-5-2 formation.
It was the REDS who started the brightest, and had the first attempt on goal after 7 minutes, following a Green corner which was met on the volley from Lei Brown forcing a good save at the Keepers near post.
Banbury responded immediately following a driving run into the REDS box, it was Howell making a challenge but as he went to ground the ball appeared to hit his hand, loud appeals from the Banbury players fell on deaf ears as the Referee waved play on.
Banbury kept up the pressure and it was Thackerey who rose the highest to head the corner just over the REDS crossbar.
With half an hour gone the REDS were struggling to find any real rhythm, relying heavily on the long ball, and with the front two of Blenkinsopp and Harris unable to hold the ball up, they posed no real threat on the Banbury goal.
The best play of the first half came on 34 minutes when Milligan joined in the play from left back producing a good cross, and Blenkinsopp unable to keep his header down to test the keeper.
On 44 minutes Tesfa Robinson went in the book for a poor foul, on Younes, then seconds later had to come off the pitch following a clash of heads.
A scrappy first half from the REDS with Banbury playing much the better football.
Second Half
The half time change saw Robinson replace Harris, giving Robinson his Debut in his second spell at the Club.
On 47 minutes after a better combination of passes from the REDS, it was Blenkinsopp who went through, lobbing the keeper as he came out it looked a definite goal, with the REDS fans and players appealing for a goal the linesman didn’t seem interested and waved the play on. Brown continued his argument to such an extent that the Referee booked the REDS midfielder for dissent.
Another half chance for the REDS as Green s free kick was flapped at by the Keeper, but Brown was just unable to connect when the ball dropped and the home side managed to scramble the ball clear.
This time it was Nick Heath’s turn to go in the book, for a rash challenge on the lively Green.
With Robinson and Hickman at full stretch at the heart of the REDS defence, it was nail-biting stuff for the travelling supporters.
With a point each seeming like the most likely outcome, it was well into injury time when the Home side took the lead.
Following a great run from the impressive Green, his intelligent pass across the goal was met by the late sub Stanbridge who converted, for the Home side to take all 3 points.
With the REDS now facing a long trip to Bashley at the weekend followed by Leamington at home on Bank Holiday Monday, getting back to winning ways is a must for the REDS.
