Following on from two of the most indifferent home games imaginable was a visit to Peterborough Sports. Chandler would have of learnt much from those two home games! Firstly establishing a settled starting eleven is paramount this early in the season. There were too many changes against Tamworth, I am sure there were valid reasons but it showed on the pitch as we were woeful from front to back. Tuesday showed we can bounce back as a poor Southport side were battered despite falling behind to an early penalty.

Back to the game in question…. We travelled to Peterborough in expectation of a comfortable victory, the first opening however presented its self to Peterborough when Moors defender Pollock, was deceived by the bounce from long hopeful punt forward setting up a combination of passes resulting in a goal bound effort being clawed wide by Montgomery in the Moors goal. The rest of the half was evenly contested with the Moors restricted to only a couple of chances, the closest was a tame header on target by Harris from a Sam Fielding cross.

In second half, Peterborough came close almost immediately from the kick off when they saw an effort flash wide of the far post and continued to press without offering any meaningful threat. The game turned, I believe after the introduction of Mckeown who provided more width and was tidy in position. The deadlock was broken when Moors were awarded a free kick just after the hour, Anderson found Taylor who’s header bounced back of the bar before Greening nodded in from close range.

From then on the Moors looked fresher and the game was put to bed when Taylor flicked on for Harris to run clear, before calmly slotting home for his 3rd goal in 4 outings.

Verdict: I expect Peterborough to contest the relegation places this season so remain sceptical regarding our current lofty position in the league. That said picking up maximum points away from home will provide the confidence needed to go on a run. If we can get 4 points over the bank holiday weekend, I’ll start to believe more. 👊🏻

Spennymoor: Montgomery, Mbeka, Pollock, Ledger (Staunton 50), Ferguson (McKeown 67), Anderson (Ross 85), Fielding, Greenfield, Doherty. Taylor, Harris.
Subs not used: Curtis, Shanks.

Booked: Anderson (36)

Goals: Greenfield (79) Harris (88)

Referee: Adrian George

Attendance: 305 (50 Spennymoor Town)

After what can only be described as a moderate pre-season against underwhelming opposition, it was difficult to predict both what lineup Chandler would opt for and what to expect around levels of performance on the pitch.

When the line up was announced, the omission of Lebrun Mbeke and Connor Shanks had a few fans scratching their heads the latter in particular would be excused for feeling hard done by given his impressive pre-season form.

On to the game itself and Banbury enjoyed the better of the early first half exchanges with a couple of tame efforts easily gobbled up by Montgomery who was making his league debut between the sticks for the Moors. The rest of the half petered out uneventful but with the Moors clearly in the ascendancy and looking the more likely victors.

Early in the second half Moors’ optimism almost turned to despair when Montgomery was presented with a one on one situation where he made himself big to block what looked to be a certain opening goal for the Puritans. The next 20 minutes, however, belonged solely to the Moors with Glen Taylor breaking the deadlock by smashing home a Danny Greenfield head down from a Josh Doherty cross. Moments later before Banbury could catch breath the energetic Greenfield pounced on some loose Banbury possession, set Harris away down the left, who in turn delivered a telling cross to the back post which Taylor put on a plate for Greenfield to finish the move from which he started.

The game was over as a contest when Glen Taylor was bundled to the ground deep inside the box before picking himself up to send the Banbury keeper the wrong way to convert the resulting penalty.

Banbury offered little in response from this point onwards, in fact Moors’ could have easily added to their tally had Taylor connected better with a back post header and had substitute Connor Shanks not shanked an effort when he found himself faced with only the keeper to beat.

Verdict: it’s hard to determine at this early stage if this result is an indication of how good Spennymoor are or how bad Banbury are. Nevertheless an away win at this level on opening day is a very welcome outcome, however let’s not get too carried away until it’s hopefully followed up by a comfortable home win this coming Saturday. 👊🏻

Banbury United: Harding, Tompkins, Maye, Davies, Fleming, Hamilton (Barlow 69), D’Ath, Scott, Farah (Elliott-Wheeler 69), Charles, Hewitt.
Subs not used: Obadeyi, Henderson, Tapp.

Spennymoor Town: Montgomery, Ledger, Pollock, Staunton, Doherty, McKeown, Greenfield (Anderson 69), Ross (Fielding 90), Ramshaw, Taylor, Harris (Shanks 83).
Subs not used: Mbeka, Mouat.

Booked: Ross (57), Ledger (80), Anderson (90)

Goals: Taylor (2) Greenfield

Man of the Match: Glen Taylor

Referee: Matthew Jackson

Attendance: 701 (59 Spennymoor Town)