Coombs hits late winner as Banbury complete comeback

Vic Coombs hit the late winner as Banbury edged out Teddington 3-2 in Saturday’s division two fixture, having twice come from behind.

In the first fixture earlier this season, Banbury played poorly and lost 2-1. So, with player-coach Sadie Lapper back and a full squad available Banbury were motivated from the start.

But it seemed that the last couple of games had knocked their confidence and Banbury started to look frantic in defence and attack.

With Juliet Gardner unavilable, Becca Atkins stepped into the helm to play centre back with experienced stalwart Becca Edwards to her side.

Those two did a great job in the middle and made it tricky for Teddington to break through. But after some excellent attacking play, Banbury were caught in attack and Teddington slipped down the flank to score a very easy tap through some poor marking in midfield.

Banbury kept the intensity high and with Charlie Matthews and Aveline Cruickshank marking Teddington’s main distributor out of the game, while the hosts started to look promising in attack. With some excellent passing down the left Tasha Nunneley found herself right in front of goal, she got shamelessly stick-tackled by the defender and won a penalty-flick which she calmly put away.

That lifted Banbury needed but again some poor marking, which seems to be their downfall, opened up a huge gap and Teddington restored their lead before halftime.

After the restart Banbury’s new found confidence started to work and their intensity was tip-top. Teddington just couldn’t live with the pace and Banbury were awarded another penalty-flick which Lapper slotted coolly into the top left corner.

Banbury were all over Teddington and they showed great composure in attack, eventually winning a corner, which Coombs slotted home to clinch the victory.