Rugby Tn 0

Banbury Utd 2 (Stone 9, Benjamin 31)

David Stone returned to haunt his old Rugby Town teammates with the goal which set Banbury United on the way to victory in their Premier Division clash.

Banbury started like an express train, and they took the lead in the ninth minute.

Rugby stalwart Craig Herbert stumbled in possession, and Stone raced free down the left, cut inside and rifled the ball home from 15 yards.

Banbury went close to extending their lead when Jack Ashton headed just over from Jason Taylor’s cross.

However, the Puritans did net again in the 32nd minute.

Declan Benjamin raced onto a defence-splitting pass from Ashton, before unleashing a spectacular shot from the edge of the penalty area, which gave keeper Andrew Stevens no chance as it flew into the roof of the net.

Banbury had a big let off after the break when Nathan Haisley’s back-pass fell to David Kolodynski, but he poked the ball wide of a gaping net.

Rugby had the better of the second half and Banbury were indebted to some fine defending from Ben Milner and Adam Learoyd together with sharp work by keeper Joe Murrell as they kept a clean sheet.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Redknap (Stan-bridge 70), Martin, Milner, Learoyd, Haisley, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone (Davis 83), Taylor (Forinton 78), Ashton. Sub not used: Gardner.

Attendance: 257.