Puritans boss Whing expects a 'really good test' in final friendly at FC United

Action from Banbury United's 1-0 friendly defeat at Stourbridge on Tuesday. Picture by Julie Hawkins

The Puritans, just like they will for next weekend’s Vanarama National League North opener at Curzon Ashton, will head to the north-west on Saturday to face the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit.

It’s a clash between two fan-owned clubs and the match will be played for the Football Supporters Association Brian Lomax Cup after the two sides met at Banbury during pre-season last year.

Banbury can expect to be greeted by a large crowd at Broadhurst Park and Whing believes it will feel like a league game for his team, which is exactly the way he wants it.

We planned that this would be our final pre-season friendly away from home against a good side,” the Banbury boss said.

“It’s going to be a really good test for us.

“It’s a decent ground, they get a load of fans going to watch them and it will feel like a league game, which is exactly what we want.

“We will treat it as a league game and it will be great preparation for us.”

Whing, meanwhile, has been pleased with “another good week” for his squad.

Goals from Henry Landers, Jack Stevens and Ben Acquaye sealed a 3-0 victory over North Leigh last Saturday but Whing was more impressed with his team’s first-half display at Stourbridge on Tuesday night, despite eventually being on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline.

“It’s been another really good week for us with two very different games,” the Puritans manager added.

“As funny as it sounds, the performance on Tuesday is one I would take any day of the week compared to the game on Saturday.

“We won 3-0 but in terms of what we are after, we weren’t too happy with it.

“But on Tuesday, I thought we were absolutely fantastic. It was probably one of the best first halves I have seen since I have been here.

“We just lacked that cutting edge in front of goal and then we made changes in the second half and they scored. It got a bit sticky after we made those changes.

“But, all in all, I am really pleased with how it’s going at the minute.”