BANBURY UNITED | THE NUMBERS GAME

Goals have been a rare commodity at both ends of the field this season

It’s fair to say that the Banbury United supporters have been starved of goals this season, at both ends of the field.

With 34 goals scored from their 37 Pitching In Southern League Premier Central games so far, they are the lowest scorers in the division. But by the same token, their record of just 33 conceded is easily the best in the division.

Therefore, it must have come as something of a shock to those hardy fans who made the long trip to Lowestoft Town on Tuesday evening to witness a seven-goal thriller, with five of the goals being scored by their team, including a hat-trick from Connor Stanley.

“It was a really positive performance,” the experienced George Forsyth told us. “We started brightly and had done our homework on them, which is credit to the management staff. The Gaffer is very thorough in his preparation and that’s why we are so difficult to break down.

“I was delighted for Connor to get a hat-trick; he’s a dream to play alongside. His ability is there for all to see, but he also does so much hard work for the team that can go unnoticed. I am so happy that he was finally able to get off the mark and I think that for the team as a whole, we were due a big win like this.

“Our defensive record is something that we are very proud of, but we know only too well that we don’t score enough goals to go alongside it, so to get five on our travels on Tuesday was fantastic and long overdue.

“There is a really strong team environment here and a lot of the credit for that should go to skipper, Yaw Ofosu. I arrived here in November and felt comfortable straight away. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities within the team structure and there is such a strong desire to keep the ball out of our net. It also helps that we have the best ‘keeper in the League!

“This is such a crazy League. Look at how close things still are throughout and we’re now into the final month. It’s fine margins in almost all games; if we had a 20+ goal striker it would have made such a massive difference for us.

“We know that we haven’t taken the points we should have done against the teams in the lower half of the table. Our points return against the top six has been very good; we try to play good football and dominate the ball.”

So, with five games to go, what are the aims and targets?

“We just want to finish as high up the table as we possibly can,” replied Forsyth. “We’re unbeaten in five now and playing with freedom and confidence. I see no reason why we can’t go on to get another positive return from these final five games.

“I’ve played every minute since I arrived at the club in November. I have so much trust and belief in the squad and manager and hopefully I can maintain the levels that I have set in these remaining games.

“It certainly helps when you know that the role you play within the team is appreciated and recognised by those around you.”

Another player who joined the club part-way through the season and has contributed greatly to their defensive strength is Alex Prosser.

“The back five are so well-drilled,” he added. “It starts from Jack Harding in goal and as a unit we are all committed and organised.

“It provides the team with a great base to build from. The energy and work-rate is there throughout the team and we’ve had encouraging signs recently that we can be an attacking threat too.

“Stanno [Connor Stanley] has been excellent since he joined us and his hat-trick on Tuesday will do him the power of good. It was such a good feeling to score five, although as a defender I was disappointed that we conceded two.

“But to finally see us get the rewards for the chances we create was really pleasing. We made a fast start, but credit to our hosts because they managed to get back in it, however, once we got back in front, we could have gone on to win by a bigger margin.

“With a bit more rub of the green, there’s no reason why we can’t take this forward now and give us something positive to take into next season.”

Another road trip, this time to Leiston, awaits on Saturday before they host AFC Telford United. Easter sees them travel to Stamford AFC and host Redditch United before ending the season at promotion hopefuls, Kettering Town.

IMAGE: Banbury United FC

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