29th January 2012 Result 1-3 HT 1-1
Scorers for CM: Jamie Smith (2) Ben Whitehead
This was the previously postponed match against Banbury who are near the bottom of the league but have recently got some decent results.
A few players were late for the game thanks to incorrect instructions from a member of the coaching staff, although he wrongly claimed to have sent an email with the new location. Apologies all round.
The game started at a frantic pace and Banbury were unlucky when a close range shot hit the bar following a cross from a corner. It then settled to an evenly matched contest with both teams unable to gain control.
It was left to Jamie Smith to break the deadlock after 20 minutes with a crisply struck volley from 20 yards to give us the lead.
Banbury equalised soon after with a well taken header from a corner.
The first half finished 1-1 which was a fair reflection of the game so far.
We started brightly in the second half and after 52 minutes Ben Whitehead scored with a powerful header from a Jamie Smith cross.
After 70 minutes Jake Gerring was fouled just outside the area on the left when going for goal, with the Banbury player getting booked. Jamie Smith scored directly from the resulting free kick when his shot went straight through a crowded penalty area.
We had a couple of extra chances towards the end of the game with both Robbie Catling and Joff Stimpson going close but the game finished 1-3.
Daniel West was unanimously voted man of the match with another great performance at right back.
Many thanks to Kane Slaymaker for doing an excellent job running the line giving Nick Penfold a well deserved rest.
Banbury proved to be much tougher opposition than their league place suggests, we did well to get our fifth consecutive victory and secure second place in the league.
