Jack's special gives Quakers the lead, but Banbury hit back to win

By Ray Simpson

Aug 20, 2022

Jack's special gives Quakers the lead, but Banbury hit back to win

First ever game against our visitors

We'd like to thank our match sponsors, Glenwood Paints

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Darlington 1 Banbury United 2

Scorer: Lambert 22 mins, 1-0, M Roberts 41 mins, 1-1, 57 mins 1-2

Attendance 1422

Darlington failed to press home their advantage when they lost to Banbury United.

Quakers took the lead through Jack Lambert's first goal of the season, but Banbury came more into the game, and hit back with two goals of their own to collect the points on their first ever visit to Blackwell Meadows.

There was a late change to the Darlington line up, David Wheater pulled up injured in the warm up and was replaced by Ben Hedley, so Jassem Sukar played at centre half.

And in the second half, Jake Lawlor pulled up injured, which meant that Alex Purver had to play at the back.

Quakers nearly took the lead in the opening minute, Marcus Maddison picked the ball up about 30 yards and hit a low left foot shot that Banbury keeper Jack Harding saved at full stretch down to his right.

Quakers nearly scored on 10 minutes. A long ball by Kallum Griffiths was flicked on by Mark Beck for Jacob Hazel to latch on to, and the striker hit a left foot shot that the keeper just managed to push around the post, although the referee gave a goal kick.

There was a half chance on 14 minutes. Jack Lambert’s inswinging corner from the left was headed out to Adriano Moke who nodded the ball back to the edge of the six yard box, where Beck’s flick on was held by Harding on the line.

An interception by Ben Hedley saw him send Lambert away into the box, and he released Hazel, whose left foot shot was blocked by the keeper.

Quakers took the lead on 22 minutes. A patient build up on the left saw skipper Moke play a short ball to Lambert on the corner of the box, and he curled a delightful right foot shot beyond Harding into the net, his first goal of the season.

Jack Lambert about to score v Banbury pic by Steve Halliday

Jack Lambert is congratulated after scoring

Banbury then had a spell of possession which saw them get into the Darlington box a couple of times, but clearances by Hedley and Lambert averted the danger.

Josh Smile had a 25 yarder after 38 minutes when he was given time and space, but the ball went a couple of yards wide of the left hand post.

Banbury levelled on 41 minutes. Quakers were caught by a throw in on the Banbury left, and the ball was pulled back for Morgan Roberts to slot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Half time 1-1

Quakers had to replace defender Jake Lawlor because of injury at the start of the second half, Ben Liddle coming on to replace him. Alex Purver went into defence.

They created a chance on 54 minutes when Hazel found Maddison on the left, and he crossed to the far post where Lambert’s header was held by Harding.

Banbury stunned Quakers by taking the lead on 58 minutes. Ben Acquaye made a good run up the left and crossed for Morgan Roberts to come in and head past Taylor.

It was nearly 3-1 when Acquaye latched on to a long ball, but Taylor pushed his effort wide.

Quakers had a promising break on 64 minutes when Hedley crossed deep from the left to the far post where Griffiths laid the ball off, but there was nobody to take advantage.

Quakers made two subs on 68 minutes, Maddison and Griffiths coming off for Jarrett Rivers and Junior Mondal.

Banbury broke again, and Taylor saved a low shot from Roberts, while at the other end sub Rivers was tackled on the edge of the box.

Mondal was fouled just outside the area on the left, but Lambert curled the ball over the top.

Harding pulled off a point blank save on 83 minutes. Lambert set up Sukar to cross from the left to Beck, six yards out, and his powerful header was clawed away by the keeper.