Banbury began the game the brighter of the two sides and as the half wore on they began to dominate proceedings. Just after the hour mark there were long range efforts from Will Green and two from Glenn Walker which tested Martin Bennett in the Hitchin goal. Half time arrived without Andy Kemp in the Banbury goal having been called upon to make a decent side but to be fair Hitchin had defended well and the game was as a result goalless at the break.

Banbury took a deserved lead in the 54th minute when Tom Pepper brought down Ben Polk just inside the area on the left. Will Green stepped up to competently convert the spot-kick.

Hitchin at least looked a little more lively after going behind as they began to look for an equaliser, certainly they began to have more of the game than they had up to that point. Despite this there will still two excellent chances for Banbury to have doubled their lead. In the 75th minute a great run down the left by Glenn Walker ended with his cross finding Danny Edmond but his shot was superbly saved by Bennett and then in the first minute of stoppage time Sam Youngs was through on goal but he scuffed his shot wide with just the keeper.

Then in virtually the last kick of the game Zak Burke was through and it was 1-1 which was very harsh on a United team who had looked much the better side throughout - but that is football for you! Nevertheless it was a very good performance from a team that started with just two players who were at Banbury last season. A performance which exceeded most home supporters expectations - a fact demonstrated that they were applauded off the field!

Photo below shows Will Green taking the penalty which gave Banbury the lead

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Simeon Williams, Ben Polk, Ben Thackeray, Liam Dolman, Tommy Kinch, Sam Youngs, Joe Coleman, Will Green (Ollie Stanbridge 84), Danny Edmond, Glenn Walker. Unused Subs: Justin Dowling, Lewis Travers, Ricky Hill.

Hitchin Town: Martin Bennett, Tom Pepper, Marc Leach, Dean Gilbert, Laurie Stewart, Louis Lee, Callum Donnelly (James Edgerley 75), Luke Gregson, Zak Burke, Jamie Arlick (Jerome Anderson 62), Ieuan Lewis. Unused Subs: Tony Fontenelle, Josh Bickerstaff, Carl Williams

Attendance: 256