Banbury Utd 1 (Learoyd 9)

Leamington 1 (Rowe 13)

New-look Banbury United picked up a well-deserved point as they drew with Leamington in the Premier Division on Saturday.

Banbury were already without Nabil Shariff and Aynsley McDonald, who had completed loan spells, while injury victims Jason Taylor and Scott Cross were also sidelined.

But the Puritans, who included on-loan Oxford United youngster Henry Owen in their line-up, got off to the perfect start.

Joe Coleman sent over a corner from the right, and defender Adam Learoyd met it perfectly to head powerfully into the net from six yards.

However, Banbury’s lead was short-lived as Leamington hit back when James Rowe fired a shot into the corner from a Marcus Jackson cross.

Banbury’s new front pairing of Mitchell Bryant and Liam Hynes caused Leamington problems.

Bryant went close in the 39th minute, but his shot went just wide.

After the break, Hynes had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

A minute later, Bryant was set free, but Leamington keeper Tony Breeden made a fine save.

The visitors defended stoutly for the remainder of the match, and a draw was probably the right result.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stanbridge (Maddox 85), Owen, Gordon, Learoyd, Farquharson, Coleman, Benjamin, Bryant, Hynes, Staff. Subs not used: Oulton, Martin, Cray.

Attendance: 476.