Banbury United 2-2 Frome Town
Spencer Stadium
31/3/12
att 225 with 9 Away
300 metre sprint. Not a problem.
Banbury united are a rather strange team, well to me anyway. They started life on this ground when Banbury Villa were formed. In 1934 they then changed their name to Banbury Spencer and in 1948 they had a record attendance of 7,100. In 1965 they changed their name to Banbury United and that is about it. They are strange, however, as the team in a town the size of Banbury has had little to write about. Usually teams have something about them, a cup run or a rapid rise up the leagues. But Banbury have not. The furthest they have got in the FA cup is the first round (even then it was against Barnet), in the FA trophy the third round and the FA vase the 2nd round. Nothing. There highest league finish came 6 years ago and that is in the league they are in.
Despite this they have a ground that is nice for the wrong reasons. Well that's if you are a supporter of new bowls where you have to pay £35 for the "privilege" of a plastic seat in a boring ground in an atmosphere resembling a library. That's before food, programmes and merchandise. Behind the goal that I entered was a good size 15 step terrace that curled round into the corner. It was also partly covered by a ramshackle yellow and red roof and a newer roof. The rest of this side was a path behind the rather large dugouts. This has been left empty since the original, wooden, main stand was closed. The other end is newly furbished. I'm not sure what was there before hand but it is now a sloping path. Obviously they didn't want a proper terrace, although the sign behind might of given a reason for this. Yes, the environmental agency works to reduce flood risk. However, I’m not sure what could flood behind this goal, it was a field with some cows. (Edit: apparently in 2007 the River Cherwell, which is nearby, broke its banks, flooding the ground to the extent that they were looking to relocate) On the "main side" was a small all-seater stand that holds around 250. In the corner on the end of the stand is the club shop, while the other side of it on the half way line is the tunnel. Next to this is the local radio station. Yes you read that right. They do the tannoy system here while also providing live commentary to those that couldn't be bothered to go to the game. Next to this were another set of turnstiles and finally was the clubhouse. Today they were doing a special picture display of the Spencer Stadium, as it's the clubs 80th anniversary, so I got a few pictures of the pictures of times gone by. The clubhouse also is the place you have to go for hot food. I didn't know this so was disappointed when I used the "could food" tea bar for my beverages. Not to worry though as my £1.30 for a bar of Snickers and a Vimto is most likely cheaper than the price charged at the majority of Football League venues for a bottle of sprite. The ground was completed by 8 sets of floodlights. These were the ones that in times gone by obviously had a square head but had been chopped down for one reason or another.
The game itself was very enjoyable. Both teams are trying to fight off relegation, but with Banbury recording their last win in February I think they have to worry most about the chasing pack. Frome started off better and were rewarded early on after a superb volley from 25 yards dipped in over a stranded Andy Kemp. Banbury pushed on, then on 17 minutes scored a lucky goal as Tony Kinch's shot from the edge of the area took a deflection into the bottom corner. The away team then responded with Lloyd Matthews scoring a neatly worked goal in the 45th minute. Seconds after the home team had hit the post at the other end. The away side went in 2-1. They continued to dominate in the second half, however the only attempt of note was when another volley from 25 yards hit the cross bar. For the final 10 minutes Banbury went for the equaliser and in the 84th minute the ball dropped to Ricky Johnson, around the penalty spot, who fired home to send the home fans wild.
2-2 was the final score and with this I had 4 minutes to make my train. This is one of the best things about this ground. It is a 300 metre walk from the Station to the turnstiles. So after a day well spent it was off home to plan the Easter weekend extravaganza!
Despite this they have a ground that is nice for the wrong reasons. Well that's if you are a supporter of new bowls where you have to pay £35 for the "privilege" of a plastic seat in a boring ground in an atmosphere resembling a library. That's before food, programmes and merchandise. Behind the goal that I entered was a good size 15 step terrace that curled round into the corner. It was also partly covered by a ramshackle yellow and red roof and a newer roof. The rest of this side was a path behind the rather large dugouts. This has been left empty since the original, wooden, main stand was closed. The other end is newly furbished. I'm not sure what was there before hand but it is now a sloping path. Obviously they didn't want a proper terrace, although the sign behind might of given a reason for this. Yes, the environmental agency works to reduce flood risk. However, I’m not sure what could flood behind this goal, it was a field with some cows. (Edit: apparently in 2007 the River Cherwell, which is nearby, broke its banks, flooding the ground to the extent that they were looking to relocate) On the "main side" was a small all-seater stand that holds around 250. In the corner on the end of the stand is the club shop, while the other side of it on the half way line is the tunnel. Next to this is the local radio station. Yes you read that right. They do the tannoy system here while also providing live commentary to those that couldn't be bothered to go to the game. Next to this were another set of turnstiles and finally was the clubhouse. Today they were doing a special picture display of the Spencer Stadium, as it's the clubs 80th anniversary, so I got a few pictures of the pictures of times gone by. The clubhouse also is the place you have to go for hot food. I didn't know this so was disappointed when I used the "could food" tea bar for my beverages. Not to worry though as my £1.30 for a bar of Snickers and a Vimto is most likely cheaper than the price charged at the majority of Football League venues for a bottle of sprite. The ground was completed by 8 sets of floodlights. These were the ones that in times gone by obviously had a square head but had been chopped down for one reason or another.
The game itself was very enjoyable. Both teams are trying to fight off relegation, but with Banbury recording their last win in February I think they have to worry most about the chasing pack. Frome started off better and were rewarded early on after a superb volley from 25 yards dipped in over a stranded Andy Kemp. Banbury pushed on, then on 17 minutes scored a lucky goal as Tony Kinch's shot from the edge of the area took a deflection into the bottom corner. The away team then responded with Lloyd Matthews scoring a neatly worked goal in the 45th minute. Seconds after the home team had hit the post at the other end. The away side went in 2-1. They continued to dominate in the second half, however the only attempt of note was when another volley from 25 yards hit the cross bar. For the final 10 minutes Banbury went for the equaliser and in the 84th minute the ball dropped to Ricky Johnson, around the penalty spot, who fired home to send the home fans wild.
2-2 was the final score and with this I had 4 minutes to make my train. This is one of the best things about this ground. It is a 300 metre walk from the Station to the turnstiles. So after a day well spent it was off home to plan the Easter weekend extravaganza!