Banbury United U18s got their competitive season underway under the floodlights against a very strong and well fancied Basingstoke Town side in the FA Youth cup on Wednesday evening.

The side who have been rebuilt over the summer following players moving on to first team mens football, and others becoming over-age had enjoyed a strong pre-season winning all 4 friendly matches conceding just once. But faced a real battle against Basingstoke Town - one of the hardest draws possible at this stage of the competition.

The match had a really big game feel to it, and it was sure to of been a fantastic experience and learning curve for our young side, many of whom were experiencing FA Youth cup football for the first time.

Basingstoke came out of the blocks very quickly, and almost scored inside the first couple of minutes. Catching united cold, perhaps suffering from a little stage fright! A throughball was sliced wide by the Basingstoke forward.

Basingstoke controlled much of the first 45 minutes, as Banbury failed to play the same confident passing game they had been playing in pre-season. Partly because Basingstoke allowed the team such little time on the ball. Bobby had to make an excellent save from in swinging free-kick that was glanced towards goal, and then following a scramble in the Banbury penalty area a show was lashed inches wide of the post.

As the half progressed Banbury did get a bit of a foothold in the match, and fashioned a couple of half chances, Tyra doing well to beat his man before dispatching a low strike at goal which was well saved. Archie also whipped a couple of good balls into the box from set pieces - but clear cut chances were few and far between.

With half time approaching Basingstoke were fortunate to not receive a red card. Number 2 George Weston-Brown was late on Bobby as he came out to claim the ball inside his penalty area. The Basingstoke players knee hitting Bobby flush in the face well after the ball was collected. The referee oddly feeling just a word with the player was sufficient.

Half time and defence's had clearly been on top. Ollie Edmunds, Ollie Corney and Lennon had marshalled the defence incredibly well, throwing their body on the line with some last ditch tackles and blocks. Basingtoke's defenders handled the threat of Tyra very well too assured in the air and physically very strong.

There was no changes at half time, but a couple of walking wounded with Ollie Edmunds and Ollie Corney both picking up knocks in the first half. Eventually on 55 minutes Ollie Edmunds was replaced at the back by Alex Cocks-Hope.

The second half was a little more open, but once again clear cut chances were in short supply. Brooklyn who had come for Lucas Webb attempted a lob shot with the keeper off his line, but it was gathered relatively comfortably by the keeper, at the other end Bobby had to be alert and off his line quickly to make a good save with his legs.

The opening goal of the game came in the 73rd minute, amid a great deal of controversy. Tyra appeared to be fouled on the half way line, with the Basingstoke number 6 all over him, wrestling him to the ground. The referee waved play on - to be fair he was consistent he didn't give Tyra a free kick all night. Basingstoke broke up the other end of the pitch and although Bobby made a good first save, the rebound fell to Rugman who slid the ball home at the second time of asking 0-1.

With United chasing the game, two more forward thinking players Dan Messenger and Ryan Knaggs were introduced to try and find an equaliser. This did leave the already tired young side a little exposed defensively and so that proved in the 85th minute when Weston-Brown (who as mentioned earlier was perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch) ran through a number of players with great skill, before dispatching into the bottom corner for 0-2.

Basingstoke looked like they might further extend their lead, but a terrific recovery tackle from Lennon Ison prevented the striker dispatching a shot at goal. To their credit Banbury never let their heads dropped and kept playing until the end - and this was rewarded with a goal back in the 89th minute.

Seb hit a sweet strike from just inside the penalty area which crashed off the crossbar, the ball fell to Tyra who was scythed down in the box, and the ref pointed to the spot. Seb stepped up an coolly rolled the balled to the keepers left as he dived the other way 1-2.

This setup a grandstand finish in injury time, Seb had a long range strike from distance that the keeper saved well down low, and despite a couple of dangerous balls flung into the Basingstoke box the away side managed the game out to progress to the next round.

With almost the last action of the game came yet more controversy in the way of a red card a piece. As Jack Kimber looked to counter just inside the Basingstoke half Number 4 Zach Rugman cynically pulled Jack down around the neck. Jack then reacted and pushed Rugman in the chest to the floor, with Rugman rolling around holding his face?! - the referee issued red cards to both players.

Overall a mixed set of emotions at full time, disappointment that United were unable to progress into the next round of the competition , but real pride in the way the team competed against a well established strong Basingstoke Town team.

Full Time
Banbury Utd U18 1 Basingstoke Town Academy 2
Goaslcorer - Seb Kola
MOTM - Lennon Ison