Following all the comings and goings at Spencer Stadium since April, the home supporters could be forgiven for any apprehension prior to this opening day fixture. However, within 5 minutes of the opening whistle, it was pretty clear that Ady Fuller and Paul Lamb had assembled a capable squad of players, as they completely dominated newly promoted Hitchin Town, and in fact by way of measuring their first-half prowess, the ball only crossed the Banbury goal-line twice before the half-time break.

United enjoyed the bulk of possession, but when the visitors did get the ball, United were immediately intent on re-gaining the initiative, giving Hitchin no time to dwell on the ball. Down both flanks, wing-backs Ben Polk and Simeon Williams mesmerised their opposite numbers with their quick footwork, and the Canaries really had no answer.

Banbury had a few early chances to keep Hitchin custodian Martin Bennett busy, the best of which fell in the 30th minute when Bennett just managed to get his hand to a Will Green effort to deflect the ball for a corner. When the half-time whistle blew, United must have wondered how they had not taken at least a two-goal lead into the changing room, and it would remain to be seen whether they could keep up the fantastic tempo of the first half after the break.

The riot act must have been read to the visitors because they certainly looked a better outfit in the second-half, although they still struggled to match the workrate of United. Banbury at last got their just rewards in the 54th minute when Polk ventured into the penalty area and ex-Dagenham & Redbridge full-back Tom Pepper, who had suffered throughout the first half with Polk’s pace and agility finally succumbed and whipped the young Banbury wing-back’s legs away from him to give away a cast-iron penalty, and young Green stepped up to hit a powerful spot-kick to the ‘keeper’s left to give United a well deserved lead.

United went close to increasing their lead in the 75th minute when Glenn Walker won the ball wide on the left, took the ball to the bye-line and screwed it back to Danny Edmond who curled the ball goalward, only for Bennett to make another good save to deny United.

Two minutes into injury time, Banbury should have sewn things up when Sam Youngs came through and with just Bennett to beat, he dragged his shot wide. Hitchin broke upfield from this miss and with the referee getting ready to blow for full time, Zak Burke capitalised on a slip at the back to equalise for Hitchin, by their own admission, hardly deserved, but that’s football as they say.

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Simeon Williams, Ben Polk, Ben Thackeray, Liam Dolman, Tommy Kinch, Sam Youngs, Joe Coleman, Will Green (Ollie Stanbridge 84), Danny Edmond, Glenn Walker. Unused Subs: Justin Dowling, Lewis Travers, Ricky Hill, James Peppiatt.

Hitchin Town: Martin Bennett, Tom Pepper, Marc Leach, Dean Gilbert, Laurie Stewart, Louis Lee, Callum Donnelly (James Edgerley 75), Luke Gregson, Zak Burke, Jamie Arlick (Jerome Anderson 62), Ieuan Lewis. Unused Subs: Tony Fontenelle, Josh Bickerstaff, Carl Williams

Attendance - 256