Pre-season ends with an away 2-0 defeat in Banbury

The game started quickly with both teams having their share of the ball, however the first chance fell to Sopuruchukwu Obieri. The forward shrugged off two Banbury defenders and struck the ball goalwards, however his effort was steered just wide.

The hosts had a few chances of their own early on , the main one being a head at goal from captain Yaw Ofosu, which should have been a warning sign for the Tigers.

Joe Hanks had arguably the best chance of the game, timing his run to perfection leaving him one-on-one with the Banbury keeper, however his lofted effort didn't quite drop far enough, to get underneath the crossbar.

The Puritans piled on the pressure all the way until half-time, which resulted in a goal just before the whistle blew, Captain Ofosu heading the ball into the goal whilst unmarked at the back post.

It was a tight affair in the early stages of the second-half, with both sides battling hard. On the 75th minute, trialist A took advantage after Ben Morgan's mistake, putting Banbury in good stead, two goals ahead going into the final stages.

The Tigers pushed and pushed with substitutes Kieran Phillips and Sion Spence making an impact, however the efforts were not enough and the referees whistle blew to put an end to the afternoons play in Oxfordshire.

Tickets are available for our season opener next Saturday the 9th, at home against Gosport Borough, here.