Banbury United Youth &
Mini Puritans Development Centre

Banbury United U8

Banbury Utd under 8’s played there best football for a while in winning this tournament, starting early in the day on a very windy day, Banbury started slowly against a Shipston Pumas side, after going in 0-0 at half time sub Fay broke the deadlock in the first 20 seconds of the second half slotting home from close range, this seemed to kick start Banbury who soon got a 2nd through Tyrese. The next game was against Shipston Panthers team, Banbury started quickly and run out comfortable winners 6-0, the football they played was simply brilliant with quick passing and moving not giving the opposition a chance to make a tackle, 2 goals from Riley, 1 for Isaac, an own goal and 2 for Fay were the scorers. The next game was another good game for Banbury again playing some good football with Charlie Dunn playing some great football down the wing setting up most of the goals in a 4-0 win. The next game was against a good Banbury Irish side, but Banbury’s passing game along with a strong work ethic helped them to win with Tyrese scoring from outside the box and Fay finishing inside the box after good work from Charlie. Another win came against a strong Tysoe Saxons side, the first was a great shot from Ryan hitting it from 20 yards out, this was matched by Bradley who after threatening in previous matches hit another long shot into the back of the net. This meant Banbury had reached the final and maybe this was the reason that the last league game was disappointing, a lazy game where Banbury forgot the passing they had produced all day, meant a 2-1 defeat, though the goals taken by the Tysoe forward were top class.

The final was played at 5pm and Banbury started quickly, passing the football well and not giving the Irish a chance to get out of their half, after a lot of chances Tyrese hit the top corner from outside the box, In the second half the Irish tried to take advantage of the wind by taking pot shots from far out but George in goal matched anything they hit at him, Fay again scored the second pouncing in the box to score in the corner, soon after Tyrese hit a spectacular shot from way out into the top corner of the net. After 3 quick subs bringing Marcus, Issac and Ryan on for Banbury they worked hard and comfortably saw out the game.

Overall a great display of football, where other teams and managers commented on the style in which Banbury played, the passing and movement were exceptional and every player in the 10 man squad played their part.

Banbury United U10

On a cold , wet, windy and sometimes sunny day, Banbury united sent six teams to this years Tysoe tournament.

The under 10's after finishing fourth last year sent two teams this year to try and do better in what turned out to be a good day for the Banbury teams.

The under 10's A team started their matches against Tysoe vikings and after starting slowly in terrible conditions with a strong wind from right to left , and being 0-0 at half time Banbury scored two good goals through Lewis Craven and Max Gilkes . In the second match against Shipston B, Banbury started to play some great football and won the match easily 4 - 0 , with goals from Ronan halkett 2 and Max Gilkes 2.

The third game was against tough local opponents Bloxham from the A league , and after ahard match Banbury won the game with a goal from Lewis Mallon. After knowing they were already through to the semi's Banburys last group game was against Ilmington who knocked us out last year, and with the rain pouring down again the match finished 0-0. In the semi final Banbury took on Harbury Hawks and after dominating all the match Banbury won 3 - 0 with goals from Ronan 1 and max 2. In the final united met Shipston A and after a close game found theirselves 1-0 down and running out of time before Ronan equalised i the last minute to send the match into the dreaded penalties . United missed their first two with good saves by the Shipston keeper, and despite Jacob Tuckey saving the next one Banbury went down 3 - 1 on pens.

A good performance all round with some good football played and some great goals. Also a mention for Harry Samaras who set up a lot of the goals and also to Lewis Craven and Jake Cullen who were once again outstanding in defence only conceding 1 goal all day.

Banbury United U10 B

The Banbury B team had some tough teams in their group and a despite having a side containing some new players for the first time they all did theirselves proud.

In their first match they played Tysoe Tornadoes , and found themselves 2-0 down at half time. In the second half united started to play well and were unlucky when Alistair marshalls shot came back off the bar and into the keepers hands . William cookson did pull a goal back with a great goal, but United Just ran out of time . In the second game United were well beaten by Shipston A 5-0 and so went into their last two matches needing to win to have a chance to progress. In their next game they took on Banbury Irish and totally dominated the match from the start. Tim Grothe in his first match for United hit a shot which came back off the bar and William Cookson scored the rebound to give them a 1-0 lead at half time. In the second half Tim again hit the bar and william was there again to poke the ball in. A third goal then followed through an own goal, United needed to win their last match to have any chance and despite having chances they went down 1-0 to Harbury Hawks.

A good effort by all an a special mention for the ever improving Sam Newman who captained the team.