‘Tremendous’ Puritans get off to a dream start

The Banbury United players applaud the travelling fans after they started life in the Vanarama National League North with a 2-1 win at Curzon Ashton. Picture by Julie Hawkins

The newly-promoted Puritans began life at Step 2 to with a fine 2-1 victory at Curzon Ashton, despite their squad being down to the bare bones after Kelvin Langmead was injured in the warm-up and Sam Brown suffered a knock in training during the week.

But Banbury were still able to make a winning start as all the goals came in the second half at the Tameside Stadium.

The Puritans took the lead two minutes after the break when Jack Stevens was put through and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper.

The hosts hit back on 68 minutes through Tom Peers but Banbury were presented with the chance to secure the points late on when Stevens was fouled in the area and Giorgio Rasulo stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

“We’ve been through every emotion,” boss Whing told Puritans Radio.

“We only had one fit substitute and that was Henry Landers. We had to go with what we had and that just shows what a tremendous effort it was.

“First half, we were outstanding and could have been two or three up. We had some really good chances and you were wondering if it was going to be our day.

“Then we scored early in the second half with a great finish. They changed it a little bit and that’s why they scored.

“But we got hold of the game and controlled it a bit more in the last 15 or 20 minutes and I thought it was a deserved winner at the end.

“It’s relief more than anything, relief we have won the game.

“I’d have probably taken a draw before the game just to get us up and running but the players were tremendous.”