Banbury United U18s and Sutton Coldfield Town U18s are no strangers to each other, as the sides met on 3 occasions last season - the league, FA youth cup and MJPL Cup final. The team from the midlands coming out on top 2-1 each time.

For the first time this season, the two sides met at the Banbury Plant Hire Community stadium, and United turned the tables with a scintillating attacking display that blew the visitors away.

The opening goal arrived in the 8th minute. Tyra was played through on goal, he outpaced and outmuscled the defence before being hacked down just outside the penalty area. The referee deciding against a yellow card, despite Tyra being through on goal. From the resulting free-kick Seb drilled a low shot into the corner of the net, just out of reach of the goalkeeper, 1-0.

It didnt take long for the lead to be doubled. Good work from Brook and Seb to nick the ball off of Sutton Coldfield in midfield. Seb laid the ball into Tyra who played it to Brook. Brook then played a lovely defence splitting pass to Lewis, who cut into the penalty area forcing a good save from the Sutton keeper. The rebound however fell to Brook who struck the ball into the net past the defenders on the goal line 2-0.

Sutton were not without threat themselves, and on 16 minutes their number 9 fired high over the stand when well positioned 10 yards out. Then on 25 minutes Bobby in the United goal made a tremendous double save to maintain the two goal margin. Sutton Coldfield drilled in a free kick from the right hand sided, it struck Lennon inside the 6 yard box, and Bobby had to make an instinctive reflex save to keep the ball out before diving on the ball bravely in front of the striker.

Bobby was also alert to make a couple of other really good saves before Banbury extended their lead on 31 minutes. Sutton Coldfield attempted to play out from the back, but Lewis was having none of it and pounced on some indecision before sliding the ball past the keeper as he raced out of his box 3-0.

It was four before half time. Max showed good tenacity on the left wing, before finding Tyra who clipped a lovely ball through to Dan in the penalty area, Dan took a touch before dispatching the ball into the corner of the next for 4-0.

There was a slow start to the second half, Tyra seemingly not on the referee's Christmas card list, as on at least three or four occasions he was penalised for fouls, when it was infact Tyra that was on the receiving end of the offence.

Banbury went 5 nil ahead on 62 minutes. Max done really well again to get to the byeline before his cut back was cleared as far as Tyra on the edge of the box, he played the ball to Jacob who in turn played a one-two with Lewis before striking the ball at goal. The Sutton keeper could only parry it out and Lucas was on hand to tap into the goal under pressure from the defender 5-0.

The referee issued a sin bin to defender Lex, which led to the side being reduced to 10 men for a 10 minute spell! This proved the catalyst for a bit of a fightback from Sutton. With three goals scored inside 12 minutes. There was two quicfire goals on 73 and 75 minutes, as the team failed to adjust to the loss of a defender. Bobby also had to make a terrific save tipping over a long range strike at full stretch.

Sutton Coldfield had a bit of momentum and made it 5-3 on 83 minutes when a free kick was rather luckily deflected into the back of the net giving Bobby no chance. But it was Banbury and Tyra in particular who were to have the last say on this match!

Lewis done well to intercept a Sutton pass on 85 minutes, he played a lovely ball in behind for Tyra who had plenty to do still. He ran at his man chopped inside and fired into the corner of the net off the post to effectively seal the game. 6-3.

The scoring wasnt done there, and Tyra once again terrorised the Sutton Coldfield defence on 91 minutes. The number 2 must of had nightmares that evening, as he was once more turned inside out by Tyra before he side footed it past the keeper for his second of the game and Banbury's seventh.

Banbury United U18s have now won their last five matches on the trot, and are playing some excellent football too. Next Saturday we travel away to high flying Nuneaton Griff.

Full Time
Banbury United U18 7 Sutton Coldfield U18 3
Goalscorers - Tyra Aitken x 2, Seb Kola, Brooklyn Da Silva Lobato, Lewis Middleton, Dan Messenger, Lucas Webb
Assists - Tyra Aitken x 2, Lewis Middleton x 2, Jacob Hayes
MOTM - Bobby Whitton and Tyra Aitken