Diamonds were held to a 0-0 draw in FA Trophy action on Saturday afternoon by the same Banbury United side they had beaten in the league 4 days earlier.
A cold wet afternoon made the conditions tricky and the first half was an understandable cagey affair. The Puritans were largely reduced to shots from distance but had some really good efforts from Haysham, Nesbitt and Hawtin. Alex Collard came closest for Diamonds with a bullet header just wide. Tom Lorraine restored to the side came close to a Jordan Macleod cross and headed a Morgan Roberts cross just wide.
Diamonds forced Banbury into some strong defending in the second half as Banbury had forced Diamonds on Tuesday night. Liam Dolman had the ball in the net but saw Alex Collard ruled offside. Morgan Roberts was denied by a last ditch clearance and Liam Dolman saw a header superbly tipped over the bar by the away keeper. The impressive Sam Brown fired two crosses through the 6 yard box that no Diamonds could connect with and created the usual mayhem with his long throws.
The close game ran out 0-0 and it means the sides will meet for the 3rd time in a week on Tuesday night in Banbury in a replay.
Man of the Match: Nathan Hicks
Attendance: 315
Match Summary: Paul Judd
***Full report and line-ups to follow****
