League

Banbury
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Neil Bzeu got the match started through his kick off. Ashley Hickson struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Alfred Harrad didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Cheadle FC. In the 6th match minute, Banbury United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hayden Falkingham to maneuver through the defense. Alfred Harrad took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ashley Hickson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 15th minute, Laurence Hawkins hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Cheadle FC's Rory Barone got a good chance for a goal in the 25th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Byron Afful's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Barrie Cullen read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 26th minute of play. When Cheadle FC's Calvin Lister in the 32nd minute got a chance for a shot 32nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Banbury United's goalie prevented a goal. The supporters of Cheadle FC booed when Banbury United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 33 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hayden Falkingham didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Ashley Hickson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 43rd match minute, Banbury United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tod Blewitt to maneuver through the defense. It was beautiful to see Cheadle FC's Darius Aldridge in action when he in the 45th minute dribbled his way through a couple of opponents and the fired away a shot from almost standing still. First the ball seemed to get in, but turned out to be on the outside of the net. A great chance! An unexpectedly hard shot by Calvin Lister in the 47th minute of play forced Banbury United's goalkeeper Alfred Harrad to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Calvin Lister to make the kick off. Neil Bzeu scored 1-0 in the 55th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Barrie Cullen, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Neil Bzeu's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Barrie Cullen read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 59th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Neil Bzeu in the 60th minute of play forced Cheadle FC's goalkeeper Barrie Cullen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Barrie Cullen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Byron Afful, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. Neil Bzeu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Barrie Cullen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Neil Bzeu in the 71st minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Neil Bzeu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Barrie Cullen was relentless in the 73rd minute of the game. Ashley Hickson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Byron Afful had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 82nd minute, Ashley Hickson got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Cheadle FC's zone, Neil Bzeu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Barrie Cullen came out of the goal and Neil Bzeu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Banbury United fans cheered their team off the field, for while Cheadle FC had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.