The side were determined to put last week behind us against a CS Colts who are amongst the strongest sides in the league.
There were a couple of changes from last weekend with Niccolo Cavallier, Oli Corney, Archie Hamblin and Bobby Whitton returning to the squad.

The opening exchanges were competitive, intense and played at a relentless pace. Both teams feeling each other out, and creating very little chances early on. There was a nasty clash of heads in the 9th minutes with Oli Corney and Seb Kola coming together, Seb coming off worse and needing a visit to the hospital for stitches. We hope the injury to Seb isn't too serious!

United took the lead on 32 minutes, and it was a lovely goal. Jacob Hayes picked up the ball in midfield and played a great pass between the defenders for Tyra to run onto. Tyra with typical power and pace, ran through the defence and side footed calmly passed the outrushing keeper to make it 1-0.

A few minutes later Banbury were awarded a free-kick around 30 yards from goal, Lukas Wahlen struck it over the wall and past the keeper but it clipped the top of the cross bar as it went over the goal.

CS Colts threatened with dangerous attacking wide players, but in general the side handled the threat well, but were punished for committing a needless foul just outside the penalty area. The CS Colts midfielder whipping a beautiful free kick into the top corner of the net, Bobby in goal had no chance 1-1.

Once again Banbury were the architects of their own down fall minutes before half time. The team were caught trying to play out from the back, Oli Corney eventually trying to win back possession in the penalty area, slipped over and landed on the ball with his hand - completely accidental, but the ref awarded the visitors a penalty.

Bobby stood up well in the goal and saved the resulting penalty diving to his right and keeping out low down. The rebound however was tucked into the net by the CS Colts attacker who was clearly encroaching into the penalty area when the spot kick was struck. This was missed by the referee, and the goal was incorrectly allowed to stand. 1-2.

As half time approached United made two changes to try and turn the tide in a positive way, Ike and Niccolo both entering the pitch. But chances were at a premium early in the second half. The closest Banbury came was a Lukas Wahlen effort that cleared the crossbar.

There were signs though that Lewis Middleton was beginning to get a grip of the game from midfield, and his direct play led to the equaliser on 56 minutes. Lewis drove towards goal before striking low and hard from around 25 yards out, the keeper got down well to save, but he could only parry it out, Ike was first to react and he prodded the ball home to make it 2-2.

The game was becoming end to end. We missed a guilt edged chance to take the lead on 65 minutes as Lewis again done superbly well to nick the ball in midfield drive through the defence and find himself one on one with the keeper. Ike was positioned unmarked just to the side of him but Lewis chose to try and chip the keeper, which turned out to be the wrong decision as the keeper read it and make the save.

Next it was CS Colts left to rue a golden chance. Lennon stepped on the ball at the back and the CS Colts striker raced through on goal, under pressure he struck towards goal, but Bobby made a superb one handed save to turn away for a corner.
Lewis then had a half volley that was deflected just over, and Bobby again had to make a smart save at the other end.

CS Colts looked to have scored a decisive goal in the 80th minute. It was another poor goal to concede defensively, as the CS midfield player appeared to somehow run through three or four Banbury players before firing into the corner of the net for 2-3.

Coaches Carl and Ben responded with an attacking substitution with Tyra coming back on and joining Ike upfront, with a defender making way as the side searched for a way back into the game.

Three minutes from time the game was back all square! Banbury were camped in the CS Colts half, looking for an opening, following a period of pressure, Tyra wriggled past a man on the right side of the penalty area, as he looked to get to the byeline he was tackled from behind and brought down for a penalty. Lewis Middleton stepped up and thumped the ball confidently into the left corner of the net sending the keeper the other direction 3-3.

Then just as the clocking was ticking into the 90th minute the winning moment came, and it was a magical moment fitting of winning any game. The ball was bouncing around on the edge of the CS Colts penalty area. Ike showed tremendous skill to bring the ball down, turn past two players and then showed the composure to slide the ball past the keeper and into the net to make it 4-3!

Injury time was not without its incidents either. CS Colts had a low shot from outside the penalty through a crowd, that hit the foot of the post. Bobby then had to come and relieve the pressure with two excellent claims from crosses put into the box.
But Banbury held on to secure a fantastic 4-3 victory, on what was a really entertaining game of football.

For those that come down to watch the team, they are certainly not short changed. The Under 18s certainly know how to 'put on a show'!

Next weekend another top of the table clash away to Worcester City FC.

Full Time
Banbury United U18 4 CS Colts U18 3
Goalscorers - Tyra Aitken, Lewis Middleton, Ike Chipachini-Okereke x 2
Assists - Jacob Hayes, Lewis Middleton, Tyra Aitken
MOTM - Jacob Hayes