Royston Town A, Saturday 21st September

[Steve T]

Hardly one to set the pulses racing. Banbury's last visit was on a Tuesday night in October 2021 when supporters realised something really was happening. Here's Geoff's report:

Absolutely fantastic performance against a traditionally tough opponent. Speed, skill, fluidity, this team has it all. Restricted Royston to a towering header from a corner and a clever free kick from which they hit the bar. Nothing from open play and in the end they had six players booked for constant fouling. This it appears will be how most opposition will try and stop us.

Solid defence protected Ben Taylor. Jay Williams is class. Babos and Rasulo ran the show. The front four never stopped running. Ben hit the bar, Chris blasted over on open goal from 3 yards, shots galore, good saves from their keeper. Six or seven + would not have been amiss. As good a display as seen for years/decades.

Downsides are the fixture pile up, and can we hang on to these players. At present many are playing at levels above.

Barrow manager was at match and he will certainly have food for thought.

Playing like that I would be confident against Peterborough and Coalville, the stand out teams in this league.

banburyunitedfc.proboards.com/thread/3303/royston

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All results:

97-98                L 1-2 [ 93] FAV 2Q
17-18  W 3-0 [265]   D 1-1 [173]
18-19  L 0-1 [421]   L 0-3 [254]
19-20  W 2-0 [405]   L 0-1 [338]
20-21                D 2-2 [377]
21-22  W 2-0 [530]   W 3-1 [311]

[Sparky]

Carry on like this and the support will fall off the cliff edge, and why are we giving away so many penalties, it’s getting hard enough to get any results at the moment without giving teams a head start. Back to the drawing board I’m afraid.

[Steve T]

And you-know-who at you-know-where coming up next...

No game next Saturday – the one possibility was Bedford but they have filled their blank day. Ten days off to have a think before the Trophy on October 5th.

[frog12345]

This club has a bad habit the last few seasons of self destruction. I feel sorry for the hard working volunteers and loyal fans who have to put up with mediocrity. The chairman has been seen less times on media than bigfoot. How about the paid staff especially the those tasked with bringing in revenue. There is no change, just local business keeping the club afloat. Given the national and international companies located in and around Banbury who is tasked with knocking on their doors more than once. I sense the lack of risk taking and growth mindset.
I was excited when Simon Hollyhead was announced given his coaching background, but now I am not so sure. I can't sense any passion in any of his interviews. The quality of the playing aquad is threadbare, to be honest it feels like a breeding ground for new talent in years to come for Nuneaton, given the location of these young players. His son should not be playing, its a conflict of interest as someone has already mentioned elsewhere on this forum.
The squad
Keep: Harding,Tai, Nico, Musa, Ball,Ofusu, Reilly, Dias, A.J.

Get rid of everyone else, they are liabilities or way to young.

Start taking risks.

[bufcarmy]

2 weeks ago most people were really happy. 3 defeats later and most people are disappointed. The board said at the beginning of the season they are looking to consolidate this season and then aim to push for promotion next season. I’m guessing that was there way of saying we have to save as much money as possible this season.
Personally I wouldn’t mind if we finished mid table as long as there was some entertainment a long the way. At the moment it is boring football and it won’t be long until the fans who have been superb this season start staying away again. Gone are are the days where we have quick wingers driving down the wing and getting in the box. We never shoot from outside the area.
Hopefully things will change soon but can’t see it at the moment.

[frog12345]

What is the point of penny pinching if we don't know what is around the corner. No one at this club deserves a full time wage based on its current predicment.

The only goal I have heard Mr Hollyhead communicate was an ambition to get the club to a new level by 2031. That is so far in the future there is no chance that will happen.

The club currently has the mentality that CDC owes them a ground, yet again absolutely no chance given the messed up purchase of Castle Quay. As for winning the lottery by finding a rich benifactor, forget it. Get out their and knock on flipping doors, arrange some meetings.

What has happened to in the community events, pre match entertainment?

Do we not communicate with Chiltern railways, they have a depot and station on our doorstep, do we ever let them use our clubhouse for events or as a social club, just an idea!

[Steve T]

In his post-match interview, SH hints that there will be changes: "More young players than is ideal but some of the experienced members aren't doing their bit." 

At 10-12 minutes: www.mixcloud.com/puritansradio/simon-hollyhead-21-09-24/

[Harold]

Bet he gets the lads going pre match 😴😴😴

[Sparky]

I want to believe in the manager but his interviews come across as very politician like although he does praise the supporters a lot, we all know that we have had to start with virtually a blank piece of paper again but despite a promising start we seem to have come to a standstill, hopefully the comment in his interview does lead to some changes and without being to harsh his son is a fish out of water for this level.

[Steve T]

Sept 23, 2024 13:36:23 GMT 1 Sparky said:

... his interviews come across as very politician-like...

His style is so considered, almost drily academic with multi-clause sentences, that I sometimes have to listen more than once to be sure I've understood. However, this makes him very careful – he's not one to hang players out. Nevertheless, there was a hint in that interview of "OK, we've sized it up. Time for a change."

[banfan]

Missed Nico Jones at the back last 4 games, the toe injury in the warm up vs Halesowen! Hopefully, he returns soon! But need to have a crack at goal from outside the area, vs Melksham at home quick passing and movement led to the penalty in the first half and we looked like we would run riot but, then didn't do anything until 2 one down and ref missed a stonewall penalty.