Banbury United lifted the Senior Cup for the second time in three seasons with a hard-fought 3-0 victory against Hellenic League side Carterton at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night, writes Nick Farrant.

Victory was particularly sweet for Banbury striker George Redknap, who missed out on the 2004 final because of an ankle injury.

As well as scoring their second, he set up Jon Gardner for their third goal as Banbury took control.

The first half was a scrappy affair, though Banbury should have been ahead on 14 minutes when Gardner, whose pace caused Carterton problems, blazed over when well placed.

On 26 minutes, Carterton's Kevin Lewis had the best chance of the half, but fired horribly over with only Banbury keeper Alan Foster to beat.

Minutes later, Carterton almost went a goal down, but Andy Baird failed to control Redknap's right-wing cross.

And Carterton were breathing a sigh of relief on 35 minutes when Darryl Simms dropped a cross from Ollie Stanbridge before grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

Two minutes later, Banbury went ahead through Darren Pond who bundled home after Ady Fuller's superbly-flighted free-kick caused panic in the area.

Foster then suffered a moment of madness, bringing down Mark Threlfall, for which he received a booking from Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher after he made a hash of a clearance.

In the second half, Paul Sherwood fired a long-range effort wide before Banbury midfielder Paul Lamb was booked for a late challenge.

Gardner was having more of an impact, with James Mortimer-Jones booked for bringing him down. It was to prove costly for Carterton, Redknap heading in Fuller's free-kick for Banbury's second.

On 64 minutes, Gardner thought he had made it 3-0, only to be flagged for offside.

Carterton keeper Daryl Simms made a super stop from Stanbridge, but Gardner crashed home No 3 after Redknap had cut the ball back to the former Thame man.

Carterton, for whom Karl Dodds and Threlfall were outstanding, never gave up with only a brilliant one-handed save from Foster denying Dodds a goal.

Banbury Utd: Foster, Pond, Kinch, Sullivan, Saulsbury, Fuller, Stanbridge (Bridges 74), Lamb, Redknap (Blossom 74), Baird, Gardner (Gooderick 80). Subs not used: Lazarus, Tricker.

Carterton: Simms, Threlfall, Border, Butt, Dodds, Goodwin, Mortimer-Jones, Joyce (Wood 81), Odom, Sherwood (Pratley 73), Lewis. Subs not used: Cooper, Gilkes.

Attendance: 677.