Banbury Find Themselves Victims of an Upset

Southern Football League lose one of its two FA Cup representatives.

The Pitching In Southern Football League lost one of its two representatives left in the Emirates FA Cup First Round on Saturday when Premier Division Central club Banbury United became victims of an `upset`.

The Puritans had `one of those days` at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium against Isthmian League North Division side Canvey Island.

Andy Whing`s side had a fright as early as the 4th minute when the Gulls` Conor Hubble`s free-kick from 35 yards went close.

And on 19 minutes, Banbury `keeper Jack Harding saved well from a Tobi Joseph effort from the edge of the area.

The visitors` pressure eventually told after 23 minutes when Hubble scored from a Dan Humphreys cross.

On 35 minutes, Harding had to be alert to save from Evans Kouassi but it was the home side who came close to equalising seconds later when Giorgio Rasulo hit the bar with a shot from outside the box.

Banbury were cursing their luck again 5 minutes later when Pablo Haysham hits the left-hand post with an effort following a corner.

Banbury ended the first half well and started the second on top when experienced defender Kelvin Langmead came close to levelling the tie following a corner.

But on 68 minutes, the home side were back on level terms – and deservedly so – thanks to a Ricky Johnson shot from close range after a Henry Landers cross.

And seconds after the restart, Banbury almost took the lead when a great ball from Rasulo found Landers, who just couldn’t get enough connection to beat Canvey Island `keeper Bobby Mason.

Three minutes later though, it was the visitors who gained the upper hand when, following a half-cleared free-kick, Elliott Ronto smashed the ball home through a crowd of players past an unsighted Harding.

Mason had to be alert to prevent shots from Landers, Johnson and Rasulo but the Gulls held firm to beat a team from a division higher.

All eyes now will be on Premier Division South side Hayes & Yeading United as they are now left flying the Southern Football League flag tomorrow.