‘We won’t fear them’: Kelvin Langmead optimistic as Banbury United take on title hopefuls Real Bedford

Looking to build momentum following Tuesday night’s 2-1 home win over Racing Club Warwick, the Puritans return to the newly named TUGO Community Stadium for a 3pm kick-off.

Head coach Kelvin Langmead believes this match could pose one of the biggest challenges of the entire season, with Real Bedford named as favourites for the Southern League Premier Central title.

Banbury lost both of their meetings with the Pirates last campaign, 3-1 and 4-1, so there’s hunger for revenge from the home dressing room.

“They are a good side and probably the best team in our league, for me,” Langmead told the Banbury Guardian earlier this week.

“We tried different ways last year and they got the better of us both times. We’ll look at it, see what we can do better.

“We won’t fear them, but we’ll respect them because they’re a good team. I’m looking forward to it, it’s a great challenge and we’ll have a go!”

If the Puritans are to achieve a positive result this weekend, they will have to be at their very best. To do so, they may rely on striker signing Levi Steele building on Tuesday’s display.

Steele, a local Banbury lad, netted a brace on his competitive Puritans debut and he will be eager to add to his tally immediately.

Speaking after Tuesday’s win, Steele said: We just hope to make this a place hard to come and try to pick up as many points as possible.

“I said it when I signed, I think hard work deserves goals. It’ll be a difficult game (against Real Bedford) but they are all difficult. Hopefully we can get three points.”