FOOTBALL: Banbury up to second

11:47am Monday 4th September 2006

Mangotsfield 2, Banbury Utd 3

DESPITE seven regulars missing, Banbury did well to claim all the points in Saturday's Premier Division clash.

But it was a bad afternoon for Mangotsfield skipper Gary Horgan who suffered a broken leg in the ninth minute that resulted in the game being held up for 45 minutes while they waited for a ambulance, which was held up in heavy traffic, to arrive.

When play restarted, it was the home side who got back into their stride first. Milan Barisic in the Banbury goal, makinge a magnificent save, diving to his left to deny Michael Meaker.

Playing against a formidable gusty wind, Banbury found it hard to keep the ball down, but they took the lead in the 11th minute.

Andy Baird broke through up the left flank and delivered a perfect cross for Howard Forinton to power a sublime header past home keeper Steve Book.

Two minutes into the second-half, Mangotsfield got the equaliser. Chris Lane sent over a left-wing cross to the far post to an unmarked Rob Claridge who smashed the ball home at the far post.

Banbury soon got back in control and in the 67th minute they took a deserved lead. Forinton took possession some 30 yards out and hit a terrific shot which rocketed into the roof of the net past Book's despairing leap.

In the 78th minute, Banbury increased their lead when Baird slotted past a stranded Book after the home side failed to catch him offside.

Mangotsfield pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute in an almost carbon-copy of their first goal when Lane again crossed to an unmarked Claridge who made no mistake to ensure a nervous last ten minutes for Banbury.

Banbury: Barisic, Blossom, Robinson, Sullivan, Hayward, Bridges, Stanbridge, Redknap, Forinton, Baird (Nicholls 84), Kinch. Subs (not used) Fuller, Brock.

Att: 259.