The Under 18s made the long trip to Chasetown on Saturday morning, eager to get back to the field after two and a half weeks with no football (matches or training!) owing to the poor weather and flooding.

The venue was fitting for what was one of, if not the best performance of the season from the young Puritans side. The Scholars ground is a brand new facility for the 2024/25 season - and is exactly what Banbury as a town needs, as we are woefully short of facilities in our area - with no 3g/4g facilities at all in the town. Oxfordshire County Council and the Football foundation - take note!!

The squad showed a couple of changes from the last time out against Worcester City, with Seb Kola and Lukas Wahlen returning.
The key to a lot Banbury's success this season has been getting off to a fast/strong start - and today was no exception. An early let off as the lively Chasetown number 9 struck wide, when he probably should of done better. However after just 4 minutes United took the lead.

Tyra was too strong for his defender in the penalty area, and the Chasetown player took Tyra down as he was about to get his shot off at goal. The ref pointing to the spot. Seb Kola stepped up and fired low into the keepers bottom left hand corner to make it 0-1.

Banbury then went on to create two excellent chances to extend the lead. Firstly Ike done well to pass the ball through to Tyra who struck low and hard but the keeper saved really well low down, before jumping on the loose ball before the rebound could be prodded home. Then on 11 minutes an even better opportunity. Seb played a beautiful defence splitting pass through to Ike, who done everything right out pacing his defender and side-footing just inches wide of the post!

This let off seemed to rock Chasetown into life, and they themselves had two presentable opportunities to equalise. Firstly they fired wide from a good opening, then Bobby had to make a smart save low down.

The Chasetown equaliser arrived on 23 minutes, and it was a screamer. A corner was well headed out from Ollie Edmunds, but it fell to the Chasetown number 11 on the edge of the box and he hit a half volley sweetly that flew into the top corner of the net, nothing that could be done to stop this one 1-1.

It wasn't long before Banbury were back in front. A long throw from Lennon on the left side of the field was headed on by Lukas Wahlen. The goalkeeper under pressure failed to deal with it and crept into the net direct from Lukas's header for 1-2.

The goal opened the floodgates for Banbury, and for Tyra Aitken in particular. Who went onto to score a fifteen minute hat trick before half time!

Goal 1
A lovely team goal, some good play in midfield released Jack Kimber in the right wing back position. Jack played a lovely first time ball across the penalty area for Tyra to head in past the keeper 1-3.

Goal 2
This time a long range effort from outside the penalty area. Seb played a neat pass to Tyra who without breaking stride curled an effort over the keeper and into the roof of the net 1-4.

Goal 3 - Hat trick
Probably the pick of the bunch. After some more good football the ball was swung into the box, Niccolo controlled and laid off perfectly to Tyra who acrobatically scissor kicked it with power into the back of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Half time Banbury were leading 5-1, and in control of the game. A few changed were made as we looked to manage the game out to its conclusion. The team played maturely with a great deal of composure in the second half. Keeping the ball well on the 3g surface.

Chasetown created a couple of chances to get back into the game. Bobby made a good save but the rebound fell nicely to the Chasetown forward who smashed the rebound against the post. Another chance fell to the Chasetown number 9 who blasted over the stand from a nice cut back.

But it was Banbury who further extended the lead on 77 minutes. Max Fuller with some excellent play in the right wing back position. Beating his man and cutting hit back low across the box. Brook couldn't quite turn the ball home but it fell to Charlie Pye, who beautifully rolled his foot over the ball deceiving the defender before firing the ball high into the roof of the net 1-6. Charlie's first competitive goal for the team.

Niccolo came inches away from further extending the lead. He was brought down after a surging run in which he drove past three or four players. He stepped up to take the three kick himself, clipping a beautiful effort over the wall and against the underside of the bar, before it was cleared to safety.

The final goal of the game came after 86 minutes. Ike once again with some lovely approach work. Slid a ball through to Tyra on the right side of the pitch. He got his body in front of the defender and fired low and hard across the keeper into the corner of the net for his fourth of the game. 1-7.

A superb team performance, and a cracking result against a good Chasetown team. Next up another long away trip to Leicester to face Aylestone Park.

Full Time
Chasetown U18 1 Banbury United U18 7
Goalscorers - Tyra Aitken x 4, Seb Kola, Lukas Wahlen, Charlie Pye
Assists - Tyra Aitken, Lennon Ison, Jack Kimber, Seb Kola, Niccolo Cavallier, Max Fuller, Ike Chipachini-Okereke
MOTM - Mick Antwi & Tyra Aitken