Brakes’ Taylor-made win is built on Stone

In the end it was a comfortable victory for the home side.

But how Banbury striker David Stone must be wishing he had displayed the same composure that saw him slot home a late consolation when presented with a much clearer opportunity in the 20th minute

With the deadlock still to be broken, Stone was put clean through by David Staff. However, under little pressure, the striker put his shot too close to Tony Breeden, who blocked with ease.

Up until that point there had been little between the two sides, with Banbury’s neat build-up play earning them points for style.

But buoyed by their let-off, it was Brakes’ more direct approach that earned them the points that really matter, with second-half strikes from Michael Tuohy and Jacob Blyth adding to Alex Taylor’s scrambled effort at the close of the first period.

Banbury, who earned an impressive point at Cambridge in midweek, caused an anxious moment in the 13th minute when an intricate move down the right presented Staff with a shooting chance. Liam Daly took some of the power off the shot, with the ball deflecting into the grateful hands of Breeden.

At the other end, James Rowe’s cross was headed wide at full-stretch by Luke Corbett, who was then unable to direct a cushioned volley on target after patient build-up play by the home side.

After Stone had wasted the first clear-cut opportunity of the game, little was seen of the visitors as Lee Downes and Neil Barnfield took control of the midfield.

As the home pressure built, James Husband failed to get enough power on a header when well placed, while Tuohy saw a first-time volley deflected wide and Corbett flashed a shot over the bar.

With play entering time added on, Brakes took the lead. Corbett took the ball around Murrell, but his overelaboration allowed the Banbury defence to pack the goalline. Shots from James Rowe and Alex Taylor were both blocked before Taylor, who had only just replaced the injured Stephan Morley, found the net via the underside of the bar.

In the little time Banbury had to respond before the half-time whistle, Jack Ashton was narrowly off-target with a header.

With the wind at their backs after the break, Leamington dominated.

Rowe, Corbett and Tuohy all failed to test Burrell when well placed before Brakes doubled their advantage.

Downes’ surging run was bought to an unlawful end and despite Corbett’s tame free-kick hitting the wall, it was returned with interest by Tuohy, whose first-time strike arrowed into the botttom corner.

At 2-0, the game was well and truly up for Banbury. However, there was more cause for celebration for the home side five minutes later when Blyth opened his account with a confident finish after Corbett had headed on Breeden’s goal kick.

Blyth was denied a second when his header was cleared off the line by a defender.

With the points in the bag, Brakes allowed Banbury a spell of pressure and were punished when Stone produced neat footwork to evade the challenge of Scott Lycett on the byeline and force the ball past Breeden.

Fortunately, for Brakes it was a case of too little, too late.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Stephan Morley (Alex Taylor, 41), Lee Downes, Liam Daly, Jamie Hood, Michael Tuohy, James Rowe (Jacob Blyth, 54), Neil Barnfield (Jamie Sheldon, 83), Luke Corbett, James Husband. Sub not used: Chris Knight.

Banbury United: Joe Murrell, Aynsley McDonald (Nathan Haisley, 57), Robbie Maddox, Delroy Gordon, Adam Learoyd, Ollie Stanbridge (Malachi Farquharson, 57), Joe Coleman, Declan Benjamin (Marvin Martin, 78), David Stone, David Staff, Jack Ashton. Sub not used: Jason Taylor.