McEachran is a game changer for the Puritans

Banbury United's Leam Hiowards chases after the ball at Slimbridge. Photo: Edwin Barson

Banbury United manager Mike Ford again enthused over the quality of his bench after Zac McEachran came on at Slimbridge to make his mark on the game with another top drawer display.

The Puritans won Saturday’s Evo-Stik Southern League clash 3-1 at Slimbridge where goals from Ricky Johnson, Leam Howards and Felipe Barcelos kept United on top of Division One South & West.

Andy Gunn is facing a four-match ban but Ford brought Charlie Wise back in at Jack Westbrook’s expense.

Ford said: I gave the players Thursday off because I felt everyone was looking tired physically and mentally. That also played a part in my team selection.

“Charlie Wise deserved to come back in. I told Charlie this may happen but I didn’t know Andy Gunn was going to be suspended.

“Zac McEachran had also been looking tired so that’s why Mark Bell came in as he’d missed three games. I looked at the bench and it was strong, you need that to be successfull and soon as Zac came on he changed the game.

“Even on a difficult pitch Zac was the best player on it, that’s why you need game changers on the bench.”