The Jersey Cup

Banbury Town: I. Phipps (c) B. Butler R. Adkins R. Yates B. Mowatt P. Humphries F. Parr M. Garrett P. Adkins D. Banks T. Meadows D. Ives

Banbury Town Scorers: T. Meadows 1

Heyford Athletic: Unknown

Heyford Athletic Scorers:

The Football served up in the Jersey Cup final on the Bicester Town ground on Monday was as cheerless as the miserably cold evening and a very poor crowd found little to enthuse over.

It was a game of two distinctive halves, Banbury Town Res newcomers to Jersey F.A. football this season, enjoying most of the play in the first half and Heyford Athletic, six times past winners of the Jersey Cup, being on top for most of the second period.

Heyford were the first to attack and early on veteran Bernie Brock headed a cross by Gubbins into the side net. His centres and pin-point corner kicks caused the Banbury Town defence some trouble. Gubbins broke through to miss a great chance for the Athletic by shooting wide of the advancing goalkeeper. From another Bernie Brock corner Mowatt headed off the line with his goalkeeper beaten.

Banbury then took command of the game for a time, their lively and speedy attacks causing the Heyford defence trouble.

Meadows, ex-Banbury United, was prominent in setting up a number of attacks and he, it was who scored the only goal of the match after 25 minutes.
He linked up with Phipps to cause a scramble in front of the Heyford goal and finally headed smartly into the net. The Athletic came under pressure from the fast build-ups of their opponents and goalkeeper Smith smartly tipped over a fierce Meadows free-kick, doing the same again later from the Banbury player.
Heyford made some brief excursions into their opponents territory and lost a chance when Rodney Brock and Williams collided in going for the same ball in front of an open goal.

Rodney Brock failed with the easiest of chances soon after the re-start when Harman put him through, but with only the goalkeeper to beat Rodney shot hopelessly wide. Lack of steadiness and ability to hold the ball to the advantage of each other spoiled a number of chances for the Athletic, Bernie Brock being exempt from this fault as he worked tirelessly for his side.
Heyford built up a succession of moves from midfield, but lacked punch up front against a Banbury defence which had lost its early composure and at times kicked wildly and aimlessly.

The Town however, were dangerous in breaks from defence, and Smith made some good saves, but the proceedings in the main were dull and the crowd were bored long before the end.