This time the Puritans pilgrimage is a slightly shorter journey of a 426-mile round trip to the Brewery fields for the 3pm kick-off as both clubs seek their first league win in 2024.

Banbury United

United go into this away game on the back of a win in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup against North Leigh alongside earning a draw to Blyth Spartans. Manager Mark Jones was impressed with the players’ heart and desire to get back into the game so quickly after going 2-1 down:
“The lads showed some spirit, got an equaliser and took a point from a difficult place to come”.

Ethan Fitzhugh has scored two in two since he arrived from Leicester City and has quickly settled into Mark Jones’s side. Jones was also impressed with fellow new signing Joe Wilson with the way he came into the team after only one session with the club and Jones hailed his debut as a “good start”.

However, the Puritans are winless in six in the league with their last win coming away at Kings Lynn in mid-December. Despite recent struggles, the club have shown good away form this season, picking up 20 points on their travels, putting them 4th in the away table.

Banbury could see the return of captain Lawson D’ath after being absent due to a thigh injury which has kept him out of the previous five games. Oxford Loanee Aidan Elliott-Wheeler may also feature, after re-registering with the club, following his appearance for Oxford United in the EFL Trophy against AFC Wimbledon.

Spennymoor Town

Spennymoor Town started the season as one of the form teams, carrying on the momentum from their playoff push at the tail end of the 2022/23 season.

The Moors stormed out of the blocks this season, with nine wins from the first eleven propelling to the top of the Vanarama National League North. However, the Moors have now dropped to 18th, following a run of ten without a win.

Spennymoor appointed Marske United boss Graeme Lee as the new manager in January, following Jamie Chandler’s resignation in September. Since taking over the club, Lee has quickly looked to strengthen his team by relying on players he can rely on. Dan Myers and Donald Chimalio signed from Marske, alongside Jordy Mongoy who signed on loan from South Shields.

Spennymoor Town have seen 84 goals in their 26 fixtures this season the most in the league. The club sit 7th in the goals column, boasting an impressive 39 goals in 26 league fixtures, with Glenn Taylor and Will Harris leading their scoring charts with 9 goals each.

They are, however, without a clean sheet in seven games and have the fourth defensive record in the division with 45 goals conceded.

Previous meetings

In the previous three encounters, Spennymoor come out on top in all of them. The most recent meeting of the two clubs saw Mark Jones’s side lose 3-0 on his first competitive game in charge. The previous home meeting in April 2022 saw Banbury confirm their survival in the National League North despite losing 1-0.

Bus booking details:
Saturday 20th January 2024 - Spennymoor Town FC
The bus departs the Banbury United car park at 8am (for 3pm kick-off).
Member: £20
Non-Member: £25
Book your place on the bus here!

Ticket Pricing:
Adult 18+ £15.00
Concessions 60+ £10.00
Junior U18 £5.00
Supporters can buy their tickets here!