For the second time in a month the Scholars Reserves travelled to Oxfordshire and were expecting another tough test, but Chasetown eventually ran out comfortable winners.
Both sides started the match tentatively, although Chasetown were looking the more dangerous of the two while attacking.
Daniel Rock and Craig Deakin had shots from distance and home keeper Joe Eyre produced a lob that was coolly collected by Mark Wiggins.
When the game did come to life there was more action in the last ten minutes of the half than there was in the previous 35. It started when Steve Howkins – arguably Banbury’s most influential player – lost the plot. He lashed out at Jonathan Gould as he skipped past him. Referee Mark Hewitson had no hesitation in pulling out the red card.
But the reduced numbers seemed to spur the hosts on as they opened the scoring. James Peppiatt found Eyre in space as he journeyed into the box and calmly slotted the hosts into the lead.
It took Chasetown two minutes to level thing up as the tempo of the game increased. Chad Degville-Cross sprinted down the right wing and supplied a beautiful pass into the danger area which Drew Aiton volleyed home to equalise.
Banbury courageously tried to regain the advantage again and Deakin did well to clear under pressure from Craig Robinson. Then Eyre was close to claiming his second goal as he headed just over from the resulting corner.
Chasetown came out all guns blazing in the second half and went ahead when Karl Edwards rose to nod in from a Rock cross after 52 minutes.
A minute later Rock was the provider again. His far post cross from the left back position played in Degville-Cross who came storming from the right to drive hard and low into the net from an unbelievable angle.
This two goal advantage deflated United’s hopes and their heads dropped while their bold resistance subsided. They had made a valiant attempt to keep in the game minus Howkins but were now feeling the difference of being a man down.
The Scholars next attack came from Edwards and Aiton. Linking up superbly, they split the home defence wide open with an arrogant one-two. Aiton rounded off the move with a timely shot beyond the keeper’s reach.
Gould drove home next, with a left foot place into the bottom corner after his impressive exchange with Aiton had exposed more gaps in home defence.
Substitute Tom Brown came on from the bench full of enthusiasm to score the sixth. Following some trickery from Aiton he curled the ball into the top corner.
A minute from time and a great afternoon was completed for Aiton and Chasetown. He completed his second hat-trick in three games with a solo run into the opposing area which left him only the keeper to beat – and he made no mistake.
Next Saturday (October 22) the Reserves have a league match at Boldmere St Michaels, kick-off 3pm.
Chasetown: Wiggins, Deakin, Rock, Bridgwater, Hulin (Sowe), Horton, Degville-Cross (Downes), A Westwood (Brown), Edwards, D Aiton, Gould. Subs not used: Faultless, D Westwood.
Goal scorers: D Aiton 40,56,89. Edwards 52. Degville-Cross 55. Gould 69. Brown 79..
Referee: P Whitehouse. Assistant Refs: P Maton, S Hill.
