AFC Telford
vs
Banbury United
Match Preview
"Bucks looking to start reforming season against the Puritans"
Match Date : December 3rd, 2022 12:30 pm
Competition : National League North
Ground : New Bucks Head
Kick Off : 12:30
Please note that this Saturday’s game kicks off at 12.30pm.
The Bucks face new boys Banbury United at the New Bucks Head this weekend.
The Puritans swept to the Southern League title last season, winning 32 and losing just two 40 league games as they finished 23 points ahead of 2nd-placed Peterborough Sports. And Banbury have largely carried that fine form into this season.
The Oxfordshire club began with 13 points from the first 15 on offer, before an FA Cup Defeat to Bracknell Town in mid-October triggered a five-game slump in the league – Banbury picking just a solitary point in that time. But the 7th-place Puritans have since regained their early season form, and they head into Saturday’s match on the back of four straight wins and are unbeaten in five in all competitions.
Former Coventry City and Oxford United full back Andy Whing is the man behind Banbury’s impressive uptick in performance. Since taking the reins at Spencer Stadium, Whing has seen his side win 43 of their 67 league games.
Although last season’s top scorer, Christopher Wreh, left for Southend United in the summer, the majority of the Puritan’s promotion-winning squad remains in tact – what’s more, it’s the youngest squad in the division. Midfielder Giorgio Rasulo skippers the side and is Banbury’s top scorer with ten goals in all competitions. Meanwhile new faces include midfielder Josh Smile from Maidenhead United, right back Jak Hickman from King’s Lynn Town and former Buck Josh Dugmore.
This will be the first meeting between AFC Telford United and Banbury. And with Kevin Wilkin’s men in desperate need of three points, the Telford faithful will be hoping that the fixture also brings the Bucks first win against the Puritans.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Tickets for Saturday’s fixture will remain on sale up until kick-off and are available for purchase online here.
