MARLOW 0 BANBURY UNITED 2
A DEPLETED Banbury side put Marlow under pressure from the whistle in this FA Carlsberg Trophy second round fixture.
United deservedly took the lead in the 14th minute when Matt Hayward was fouled in the penalty area.
In the absence of regular spot-kick taker Ady Fuller, Jon Gardner struck a fierce shot past Marlow's giant keeper Michel Watkins to open the scoring.
Marlow gradually came into the game as Banbury's midfield found it difficult to keep possession and Banbury had Alan Judge to thank for three superb saves.
In the 48th minute, United went close when Andy Baird was fouled 20 yards out. Bridges beat the defensive wall with a well-flighted free-kick but Watkins did well to tip over the crossbar.
Banbury were under the cosh as Marlow continued to push forward looking for the equaliser.
Judge again came to the rescue for Banbury but in the 71st minute the game was made safe for United. Banbury earned another free-kick on the right which Fuller played into the middle. Baird headed on to Howard Forinton who laid the ball back to Bridges. He side-stepped a defender and sent a beautiful shot into the top corner to give United a 2-0 lead.
Team: Judge, Bridges, Kinch, Sullivan, Hayward, Pond, Stanbridge, Redknap, Forinton (89 mins. Blossom), Baird, Gardner (48 mins. Fuller). Subs (not used) Goddard, Brock.
Attendance - 255
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