As one would expect from the two teams that finished second and third in Division One North this was a close and competitive game.

The opening to the game was fairly even but with Banbury having the advantage of a surprisingly strong wind at their backs which had blown up, Chesham at times had difficulty getting the ball out of their own half of the field. The wind was to play a crucial part in the opening goal which came Banbury’s way on 14 minutes when following a throw in on the left, Claire Allen crossed the ball high into the Chesham goal area. With the wind taking the ball right under the crossbar, the home goalkeeper was unable to do anything but help the ball into the net.

In the 26th minute a free kick on the left was pumped into the Banbury penalty area and a Chesham player ran in and got to the ball just before Banbury goalkeeper Nicky Isted to head the hosts level.

Chesham nearly took the lead after just 30 seconds of the second half when a superbly struck shot from the edge of the penalty area looked destined for the back of the net before Isted pulled off a remarkable acrobat save to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. The corner put United under more pressure with the Chesham player’s header being cleared off the line.

In the 50th minute a cross/shot from Cynthia Rodriquez finished up coming back into play from the post and six minutes later a long range effort from the same player went just wide.

Chesham would take the lead for the first time in the game in the 68th minute when a free-kick from the left found a home player with a free header at the far post, the ball being headed back across the goal before being slotted home.

Banbury responded immediately to going behind as just two minutes later following a Claire Allen shot being saved by the home goalkeeper at the expense of a corner, the resultant flag-kick from the left taken by Sarah Rhind was powerfully met with a header by Lucy Durnin, the ball nestling in the back of the net to make it 2-2.

However, United were only to be on level terms for four minutes as a cross from the Chesham right was bundled into the net at the far post.

Chesham dominated the next ten minutes and came close to increasing their lead. Banbury tried to rally in the last five minutes but were unable to find an equaliser.

Banbury United: Nicky Isted, Lucy Durnin, Laura Izquierdo, Serina Milenkovic, Jenny Hoggins (Hannah Tomsett 79), Sarah Rhind, Rachel Dunbar, Claire Allen, Cynthia Rodriquez, Josie Clark, Sarah Pantall. Subs (not used): None