Symonds at the double in cup rout

Banbury bounced back from Saturday's setback to thump Chester 6-0 in Sunday's HA Cup second round tie.
George Brooker gave Banbury the lead against ChesterGeorge Brooker gave Banbury the lead against Chester
George Brooker gave Banbury the lead against Chester

George Brooker to put the home side into the lead in the first minute. The Northern Premier League side fought back and keeper Scott Reynolds earned his man-of-the-match award keeping Banbury in the game.

With a subtle tactical switch from home coach Matt Bull in the last five minutes of the first half to increase the attacking fire power, Barney Williams doubled Banbury’s lead on the half hour mark before Harry Simons crashed home a reserve-stick shot to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the break.

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Continuing the more attacking style into the second half, Banbury created more home chances but it was not until the hour mark that Williams doubled his tally for the day.

Moments later Kieran Symonds thundered a shot which hit the post and bar but the ball did not cross the line as the visitors began to tire.

Kyle White’s mazy dribble into the D, which left four defenders in his wake, did not get the finish it deserved but he put matters right moments later to increase Banbury’s lead. With only a minute to go Symonds thundered a tight angled reverse-stick shot home to round things off.

Banbury II went out of the HA Second XI Trophy, beaten 5-3 on penalty strokes after drawing 2-2 with East Grinstead II in the second round.

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East Grinstead converted a penalty corner with less than a minute on the clock. The visitors continued to move the ball well but a combination of good defence and poor finishing thwarted them.

Banbury grew into the game and won a penalty corner and a penalty stroke which the keeper saved and East Grinstead doubled their lead before the halftime.

After the restart, Jonny Stirrup reduced the arrears, finishing off a well worked move. With the game entering the final stages captain Nick Best scored from a penalty corner.

But Banbury went out of the competition 5-3 on penalty strokes.