Rugby Tn 1, Banbury Utd 2

WITH Alan Judge away, manager Kevin Brock gave a Southern League debut to reserves and under 17 keeper Joe Murrell, who produced a fine display to inspire Banbury to victory in the Premier Division.

The opening exchanges saw both sides struggling to master the windy conditions, and there were few chances, except for a snap-shot that Murrell did well to save at his near post.

However, in the 26th minute, Banbury broke the deadlock. Stuart Bridges played a ball from midfield to Howard Forinton.

The home defence closed him down, but Craig Herbert mis-kicked his clearance and Andy Baird was on hand to slam the ball home from the edge of the penalty area to put Banbury in front.

The lead was doubled a minute later when Baird and Forinton combined well.

The ball was played forward to Ollie Stanbridge, who chipped a neat cross into the middle, where Rugby centre-half Delroy Gordon headed into his own net.

Banbury should have gone further ahead in the 29th minute when Forinton crossed from the right to Jon Gardner.

Rugby keeper Farhad Afandiyev went out to clear, but Gardner brilliantly drew the keeper out of his penalty area, beat two defenders before crossing to the unmarked Baird in the middle.

But the striker inexplicably tapped the ball over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Rugby were unlucky in the 37th minute when a shot from the right forced a fantastic save from youngster Murrell, who dived full-stretch to tip the ball around a post for a corner.

However, the home side pulled a goal back on 38 minutes, David Stone outpacing Banbury's defence to score.

However, the visitors' back line stood firm under pressure in the second half, while Bridges went close when he fired a shot just wide.

Murrell was again on hand to deny Rugby an equaliser on 76 minutes, and Banbury were equal to everything the home side threw at them to secure the points.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Bridges, Kinch (Jackson 90), Sullivan, Blossom, Pond, Stanbridge, Redknap, Forinton, Baird (Gooderick 75), Gardner (Nicholls 85). Sub not used: Foley.

Attendance: 339.