Puritian's Host Thatcham

It is over 80 years since the two clubs met. That was on Saturday 12th September 1936 when Banbury Spencer entertained Thatcham in the FA Amateur Cup. What is remarkable is that just seven days previously the clubs had met here at what was then the Spencer Stadium in the FA Cup. So only two meetings ever between the sides and they took place on consecutive Saturdays in different competitions – remarkable! Spencer won those games 7-0 and 6-1.

We are very unlikely to see scorelines like those tomorrow, for Thatcham may play two levels below Banbury but have made an excellent start to the season. They are looking serious contenders for a top two place which this season will ensure, due to restructuring, promotion and a return to the Southern League which they graced for eight seasons before taking voluntary relegation back to the Hellenic League at the end of the 2013/14 campaign. They have won six out of their seven league games so far this season, their latest being a 3-1 win over Ascot United on Tuesday and sit in fourth place in the table.

One name that United supporters of a few years standing may recognise in the Thatcham squad is former Henry Owen who made a couple of appearances for the Puritans back in season 2010/11, when Billy Jeffrey was manager, actually scoring in one of those games at Evesham United.

United manager Mike Ford will be looking for his side to bounce back after suffering two home league defeats in four days, following an excellent start to the campaign which saw a run of six consecutive wins in all competitions.