Match Report | Banbury (A)

Southern League Premier Central – Tuesday, 10th September 2024

Banbury United 0 Halesowen Town 1

Substitute Ryan Boothe’s late winner moved Halesowen up to third place in their best performance of the season to date, writes David Johnson.

40 year old goalkeeper Lewis Solly took charge of the goalkeeping gloves after a stomach illness ended goalkeeper Dan Platt’s long consecutive run of appearances and Solly used all of his experience to orchestrate an excellent Yeltz clean sheet.

McKauley Manning dragged an early shot wide and went close again in the 25th minute after skipping through to see his shot tipped away by home goalkeeper Jack Harding. Halesowen continued to keep up the pressure earning four corners in quick succession midway through the half but the Banbury defence, having only conceded three goals all season, held firm. Kieren Donnelly then latched onto a 40th minute through ball, though Harding made a comfortable save.

The tight pattern of play continued after the interval, although Enock Lusiama forced Harding into a near post save down the left on the hour mark.

Despite their neat football, the Puritans were restricted to just a few clear-cut chances again in the second half as Tommy Cartwright headed a 55th minute corner wide and Harry Reilly found George Ball to hit a good chance over the bar after 67 minutes. But Solly remained relatively untroubled although Ramello Mitchell’s 73rd minute free-kick fell just past Solly’s post and Ball’s 76th minute cross sailed through the Yeltz penalty area into safety.

Halesowen found their 81st minute winner after Jak Hickman’s left wing corner wasn’t fully cleared and the ball came back out invitingly for Ryan Wynter to fire a low 20 yard shot that was heading just left of goal until the ball was directed home by BOOTHE’s quick reaction.

Banbury made a triple 86th minute substitution in an attempt to find an equaliser but Halesowen stood strong and held firm to see out six minutes of added time.

Banbury United: Jack Harding; Tai Fleming, Gedeon Okito (Matthew Ireland 86), Gift Mussa, Yaw Ofosu (c), Tommy Cartwright (Prince Henry 86), Harry Reilly, Archie Hollyhead (Claudio Franca Dias 73), Ramello Mitchell (Harvey Westwood 73), Adriel George (Charlie Donaldson 86), George Ball.

Halesowen Town: Lewis Solly; Jak Hickman, Reece Mitchell (Ben Cassidy 70), Nat Kelly, Ryan Wynter (c), Ryan Wollacott, Josh Smile, Todd Parker, Enock Lusiama (Finley Holmes 68), Kieren Donnelly (Ryan Boothe 73), McKauley Manning. Subs Not Used: Conor Tee, Luke Postle.

Attendance: 568

Booked: Hollyhead (40), Smile (45), Cartwright (48), Kelly (86)

Halesowen Town Man of the Match: Ryan Wynter