7:59pm Sunday 7th February 2010
Banbury Utd 3 (Redknap 33, Stone pen 81, Stanbridge 89)
Merthyr Tydfil 1 (Morgan 51)
Banbury boss Billy Jeffrey showed faith in the starting line-up that came back from Truro with a point, and they did not let him down as they secured the Premier Division victory with two late goals.
The hosts earned a half-time lead when Jack Ashton took the corner from the right. It was only partially cleared to George Redknap, who calmly stroked the ball home from ten yards.
Banbury almost doubled their lead when Redknap headed just over from Joe Coleman’s cross.
The visitors equalised when a mix-up between Marvin Martin and Ashton left Ceri Morgan with an easy chance at the far post.
With Merthyr in the ascendancy, Paul Keddle’s free-kick slammed against a post.
The addition of Nabil Shariff to the proceedings, strengthened Banbury’s threat, and Merthyr defender Matthew Driscoll was shown his second yellow card when he brought down Declan Benjamin.
In the 81st minute, Shariff was fouled by Keddle as he raced into the penalty area, and David Stone calmly put away the resultant spot-kick.
Banbury put the icing on the cake when Benjamin cleverly laid the ball off to Stanbridge, who slotted home.
Banbury: Murrell, Stanbridge, Martin, Cray, Learoyd, Redknap (Haisley 62), Coleman Hilliard 82), Benjamin, Stone, Taylor (Shariff 62), Ashton. Sub not used: Milner.
Attendance: 281.
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