Mens 1st Team start with a win on their return - Match Report

Banbury Utd Dev 2 v 5 Southam United

 Southam United began their historic first game in the Hellenic League and first game for over 3 years since the previous senior team folded with a deserved victory against Banbury Utd Dev.

After months of hard work putting a new team together including coaching staff the team took to the impressive Banbury Plant Hire Stadium pitch for their first league game in Hellenic Div 2 North.

As expected both teams were edgy in the opening minutes with two youthful sides competing under the floodlights in front of a sizeable crowd of 138 including a good away following.

The scoring began after only 3 minutes when Captain Brandon Smith headed home from a free kick just inside the halfway to register an historic first goal on the clubs return to competitive action. The Saints were then pegged back after a clumsy challenge in the box lead to Banbury penalty which was slotted away confidently giving Saints keeper Eddie Cox no chance.

Within 3 minutes the Saints were back in front after a neat finish from the edge of the box from Ricky Barby, however the lead didn’t last long as Banbury brought the scores level after some neat work from the impressive Ryan Macdonald resulted in a through ball to Denilson Silva who slotted home.

The second half began in the same fashion to the first half with both sides looking to get on the ball and play and then after 53 minutes Saints took the lead again after  Banbury defender Hastie appeared to grab a Southam forward around the neck whilst off the ball which earned him a straight red card with Levi Steele slotting away the resulting spot kick.

On 62 minutes the game was over as a contest after Si Barby hit a long range effort from all of 25 yards which gave the Banbury keeper no chance as the ball hit the top corner of the net.

With Banbury tiring Southam kept the ball well and made their opponents work hard to regain the ball with Pat O'Brien prodding the ball home from close range to make it 5-2 on 84 minutes after Banbury failed to clear their lines.

A fantastic game to watch for the neutral and no doubt both these teams will be competing at the higher end of the table this season in what was a great advert for Hellenic Div 2 North football.

Attendance 138

Man of the Match - Pat O'Brien

News // 240 weeks ago