Barton Rovers 2, Banbury Utd 1
BANBURY United produced their most disappointing second-half performance since Kevin Brock took charge some 18 months ago to crash out in the first round of the FA Trophy..
Against a Barton team that had amassed just four points and had conceded 53 goals in their 16 Ryman League Division 1 games this season, Banbury looked certain to go through to the second round after dominating the first 45 minutes.
They had eight golden chances to score, without success, while Barton's first shot at goal, which was wildly off-target, didn't arrive until the 25th minute.
Banbury's first opportunity came in the 11th minute after a string of three corners, Matty Gooderick missing out at the near post.
Gooderick was then denied by 17-year-old home keeper Graham Wraight, who also turned Jody McKay's effort around the post.
The turning point arrived in the 38th minute. George Redknap made a brave dive at the near post, getting his head to Gooderick's cross a split second ahead of a defender's boot. The ball hit the keeper's knees on the line and was scrambled clear, but Redknap collected a gash to the head, which later required six stitches.
Banbury's quest for Trophy honours seemed to go to the hospital with him.
Barton took the lead in bizarre fashion in the 45th minute. A hopeful long-range shot from Dean Payne bounced awkwardly in front of Paul Beauchamp. The ball rose up, hit him on the shoulder and went over his head into the empty net.
The second half was a different story altogether as Barton took the game to Banbury.
Yet it was United who found the net in the 60th minute when Chris Jackson's free kick was only partly cleared and Gooderick struck home a fierce shot from 25 yards.
Just when Banbury should have re-imposed themselves, Barton grabbed the winner in the 69th minute through substitute Keigh Coughlin.
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