Saturday 6th January Away vs Banbury Spencer (L 3-6)

An enjoyable game with some big positives, not least having a substitute!

The Blues started in a completely new formation for the new year with big Andy Carroll (Kier) up front, and Nathan T replacing Hugo in goal.

The match started well as after 10 minutes Charlie put in a cross only for the Banbury defender to put it into their own net under pressure from the Blues forwards. However 5 minutes later Banbury were awarded a free kick 10 yards outside the box, and their big defender came up to put it high into the goal.

The match was even, and very open. But after about 20 minutes came the first of many mix ups in the defence with the Blues almost unwilling to clear the ball out of their own penalty area, and watching while Banbury took the lead. While just before half time a great run from Kier resulted in the goalkeeper parrying the save and Guy slotting home.

Half time: 2-2

The second half followed a straightforward pattern, of Kier making bursts through the centre, and creating opportunities while the Blues gifted goals at the other end.

Kier seemed uncannily able to muscle his way past the opposition defence, and end up 1 on 1 with the keeper but the goal being ever elusive. If he had been able to net half of the opportunites we would have won by a good margin.

Meanwhile at the other end the Blues seemed to have an ability to create opportunities for the opposition in bizarre ways, and unwilling to clear the ball under pressure.

With 10 minutes to go and trailing 4-3 (Charlie getting a scrappy goal after one of Kier's great runs), the Blues pushed forward, and were caught out to seal their fate.

Man of the match: unanimously Kier.