Thanks for the memory

There's only one Wayne Blossom and he was back at the NWG

There was a good turnout of Banbury supporters in the 734 crowd which saw Leamington win today's derby game 4-1, a match that was more tightly contested for much of the time than the scoreline suggested. I suppose that if you were a Puritan you would call it the M40 derby because that would be the easiest way of reaching the New Windmill Ground, while I prefer the title the Chiltern Line Derby as Banbury's ground is so close to the station. There have been some entertaining contests over the years, but now it looks as if the Brakes are on their way to the Blue Square North and we won't be meeting for a while.

It was Liam Daly who opened the scoring for the Brakes on three minutes. I thought the corner had been overhit, but Daly was not marked and he made good use of his free header. Brakes had a chance to go two ahead, but under pressure from Stefan Moore, the visiting keeper grabbed the ball in the end. Magunda picked up an avoidable yellow card, which I think leads to a suspension.

It was getting a bit tasty in true derby fashion and the goofy referee often seemed a bit hesitant in his decisions. Brakes were two on one on the keeper, but instead of firing in a shot looked for a tap in which didn't come. As more trouble broke out, one time Brakes player Wayne Blossom (who I think has also appeared for Oxford City) got mouthy with the referee. The overall story of the first half was one of missed chances which I thought we might rue in the second.

Half time: Brakes 1, Puritans 0

Stephan Morley was taken off immediately after the break and I assume this was for an injury (I think he got a kick in the first half) with Martin Naylor coming on. Banbury were looking lively and we were looking a bit flat. We gave away an unnecessary free kick on 50 minutes and from some distance out then shot from Michael Hawkins went through the wall and just evaded the hand of the generally impressive Lawrie Walker in goal. Sheepside hero Ricky Johnson picked up a yellow card. Playing down the slope towards the Harbury Lane End, the Puritans broke well and Walker got the tip of his finger to a fast ball at the expense of a corner.

Brakes went into the lead when Daly took a free kick from just outside the box. It took a deflection on the way in and was really an own goal but was credited to the impressive Daly. Johnson blasted over when he had a chance to score from six yards out. Charm merchant Blossom got booked, as did another Banbury player. Banbury had a great chance to equalise, but Walker pulled off the save of the match.

Then on 83 minutes Dodd burst through with great speed and accuracy to make it 3-1. For me that was the goal of the match. Ricky Johnson then played Stefan Moore in to make it 4-1. There were some calls for the 'old five', but the main remaining action was a double substitution for the Brakes. All that was then left to do was to chant 'Viva Holleran!' and to start thinking more seriously about the end of season champagne.