LIAM Richardson’s deflected first-half shot was enough to send Banbury United into the Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Oxford City last night.

Danny Edmond twice shot straight at City keeper Jason Mooney early on.

But Banbury took the lead on 40 minutes when Richardson’s 25-yard effort took a deflection and went past Mooney’s right hand.

City had plenty of second-half pressure and around 80 per cent of the possession.

But they persisted in hitting long balls, giving Andy Kemp a comfortable time in the Banbury goal.

City created little, with substitute Aaron Woodley shooting wide on 73 minutes.

Banbury could have scored a second in injury time when Dior Angus was brought down by Mooney after going through on goal.

Mooney was yellow-carded for the foul, then got up to save Angus’s tame penalty. A last-minute winner from Dan West saw Thame United through to the last four with a 2-1 home victory over Henley Town.

Henley opened the scoring on 30 minutes through Adam Jeffrey, with Aaron Rogers equalising just before half-time.

Thame dominated the second half, but had to wait until injury time for West to stroke home a left-footed drive from eight yards.

Headington Amateurs’ tie at Ardley United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.