Bury Town’s nine game unbeaten run came to an end as an early second half goal proved enough for Banbury.
The hosts were marginally the better side for the first twenty minutes of the half and Bury looked to counterattack. Bury had a good chance on 8 minutes when Joe Carroll sent a cross in the box for Max Maughn and his recycled ball back in was headed over the bar by Callum Page. On 15 minutes Banbury had a chance when a free kick was headed across goal by Nico Jones and Chris Wreh was at the far post waiting to pounce but the ball went out of play. On 18 minutes Bury had a shout for a penalty when George Quantrell was shoved over in the box, but the Referee was unimpressed and waved play on. On 19 minutes Banbury went close when Chris Wreh hit a solid strike and Bury keeper Ryan Dunne made an exceptional save. On 26 minutes Joel Anker went on a long run forward for Banbury and found Chris Wreh in the box, but his poor strike lacked any power and was an easy take for the Bury keeper. On 29 minutes Alex Worley hit a screamer from distance for Banbury which went inches from the top far corner. On 34 minutes Bury had a chance when Callum Page worked the ball into a good position and his low strike from distance was saved by Jack Harding. On 43 minutes Chris Wreh was back in the Bury box looking to strike but Joe White did a superb job at the back for Bury and never allowed him to shoot. Just before the break Banbury almost found the back of the net when a free kick was headed goalward and Joe Carroll was there to clear the ball from his goal line.
Half Time: Banbury United 0 Bury Town 0
Banbury took an early lead in the second half when a low driven strike from distance from Josh Flanagan went through a crowd of players and into the back of the net on 47 minutes. Bury kept probing forward throughout the second half looking for the equaliser. On the hour Chris Wreh and Luke Stokoe linked up well on the edge of the Bury box but Tommy Hughes stole the ball and got Bury back on the attack. Keegan Bloom went deep into the Bury half on 64 minutes and found Chris Wreh in the box but his poor first touch saw the chance squandered. On 68 minutes Joe Carroll sent a cross into the box for George Quantrell, but a good headed clearance took the chance away. On 77 minutes Max Maughn went on a run deep into the box but his cross in went too close to the keeper who collected the ball from the air. Mikey Davis had a great chance to equalise for Bury on 86 minutes when he ran on to a ball in the box, but he could not keep the ball down as it sailed high over the bar. On 88 minutes Ally Conway had a chance for Bury but his shot was blocked close to goal by Alex Worley. It was a strong finish to the game from Bury Town, but they could not find a way through the solid Banbury defence, and it was the hosts who took the win at the final whistle.
Full Time: Banbury United 1 Bury Town 0
The David Longman Man of the Match: Joe Carroll
Match Rating: 2/5
Attendance: Unknown