Goalless draw for Quakers at Banbury
By Ray Simpson
Our first visit to Banbury
Banbury 0 Darlington 0
Quakers had to settle for a point at Banbury with their second successive goalless draw.
There weren't many chances in the game, but they nearly all went to Quakers, who nearly won it with a shot by Jacob Blyth that came back off the crossbar, in the first half and a last minute effort by Andrew Nelson that was pushed around the post.
However, Jake Cooper shown two yellows, which means that he will miss the Good Friday game against Blyth because of suspension.
The result means that Quakers stay fifth in the table, five points ahead of eighth placed Alfreton.
Here are Alun's thoughts on the game:
Banbury were first to have an effort at goal when Henry Landers controlled the ball outside the Darlington box, but fired high and wide.
Quakers responded with a ball forward by Cooper that was too high for Jacob Blyth.
Quakers tried a counter attack after winning possession on the halfway line, but Hazel was caught offside when Blyth played the ball through.
On the next time they attacked, Sukar crossed from the left, and a defender appeared to handle, but the referee waved play on.
Quakers won a free kick for a foul on Hazel 30 yards out on 11 minutes, but Liddle’s free kick went across the face of goal.
Liddle then received treatment from Danny on 21 minutes and was replaced by Nathan Newall, and his first action was to race up the left and put in a cross that Jay Williams headed over for a corner.
Qaukers won another corner straight after which Newell whipped the ball into the six yard box, and Banbury keeper Harding made a point blank save from Blyth.
Sukar then made a good interception on the edge of his own box after Acquaye broke down the left.
Banbury won a free kick inside the Darlington half which was hoisted into the Darlington box, but the referee blew up for a free kick to Darlington.
Newall won a corner on 34 minutes after another good run, but Felix’s flag kick was headed away.
Banbury had a chance when a throw in was headed out as far as Reilly, whose shot was deflected for a corner, and then a right wing cross fell for Acquaye 25 yards out, but he fired over the top.
Quakers had a half chance when Sukar ran up the left and crossed into the near post, and the keeper just got to the ball ahead of Blyth.
They nearly took the lead on 45 minutes when Hazel played the ball inside for Blyth, who hit a right foot shot from the edge of the box that came back off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten.
half time 0-0
Newall had a half chance at the start of the second half, but his shot was blocked.
Quakers had another break through Newall who got to the edge of the box and squared the ball for Hazel, who was tackled by Williams.
Banbury nearly broke the deadlock on 55 minutes with a low shot by Acquaye that was deflected into the side netting by Cooper.
Kaine Felix replied with a good run run up the left, but his pullback was intercepted, and from the throw in move that followed, Blyth headed wide.
Banbury brought on sub Eliott-Wheeler, and his first touch was a left foot shot that went over the bar.
Quakers made their second sub on 75 minutes, when Hazel went off, and Andrew Nelson came on.
With the nerves of both sides increasing, Banbury won a free kick on 78 minutes on the corner of the box which Landers drove towards the bottom corner, but Taylor pushed the ball around the post.
Quakers were reduced to ten men on 87 minutes when Cooper was shown a second yellow for tripping Acquaye who was breaking from the halfway line -- Quakers first dismissal of the season.
Banbury launched players forward for the last few minutes, but the Darlington defence stood firm.
Indeed, Quakers nearly scored in the last minute when Newall set up Nelson, and his low right foot shot from the edge of the box was turned away at the foot of the post by the keeper.
Final score: Banbury 0 Darlington 0
Team: Taylor, Hedley, Lawlor, Cooper, Sukar, Moke, Liddle (sub Newall 22) , Purver, Felix, Hazel (sub Nelson 75)Blyth
Subs: Rose, Howe, Brookwell
Bookings: Nelson, Cooper
Red card: Cooper (two yellows)
Banbury: Harding, Roberts, Langmead, Williams, Landers, Costello (sub Babos 46), Acquaye, Johnson, Radcliffe, Maye (sub Elliott-Wheeler 60), Reilly
Subs: Rasulo, Iaciofano, Taylor
come to Gavin's quiz night on 6th April
