Parkway started the 2nd half as they finished the 1st and their early pressure saw them increase their lead on 50 minutes. A neat passage of play through central midfield saw Wright release Dean who raced clear unchallenged on the right and roll a cross into the danger area with Jones timing his run to perfection to meet the cross and under pressure from a covering defender, finish neatly from around 6 yards.

On 51 minutes Parkway were forced into a substitution with Corey Koerner replacing the unfortunate Williams who appeared to have picked up an injury. Despite Banbury forcing a corner which came to nothing on 52 minutes Parkway continued to look the more threatening and on 54 minutes a fierce shot from Wright poleaxed Gift Mussa with Parkways strong claim for handball in the block being waved away. Parkway continued to press and create chances with a Jones far post effort blocked with Garside then seeing his effort also blocked and cleared after good build up play between Jones and Hall.

Banbury made a double substitution on 59 minutes with Matt Donaldson and Charlie Donaldson replaced by Matt Ireland and Harvey Westwood. Parkway continued in the ascendancy creating chances for Hall and Dean around the hour mark with the visitor’s defence coming under increasing pressure. However Banbury did manage the occasional counter attack and on 66 minutes Gordon was in the clear but unable to connect with a cross from the right. The same player then fired a free kick over from 30 yards as the tempo of the game began to drop.

Banbury made another change on 68 minutes with Connor Ferguson replacing Tom Cartwright. Westwood who had only been on for around 10 minutes appeared to have picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Neo Dobson. Deans free kick from around 25 yards was easily saved and with Parkway starting to lose their earlier control the visitors reduced the deficit on 72 minutes.

As has been Parkway’s achilles heel often this season, a poorly directed backpass put Ewan Griffiths under pressure allowing Gordon to intercept the ball, round the stranded keeper and set up Ferguson who curled his angled shot into the far corner despite a desperate attempt by Scarff to clear from off the line.

This gave Banbury a lifeline and with Parkway losing their earlier composure, the visitors pushed forward looking for an equaliser with Parkway being forced back and for the first time in the game defending in numbers. Banbury made their final change on 74 minutes with Claudio Dias replacing Archie Hollyhead. Reilly forced a save from Griffiths on 75 minutes with the visitors now looking the more threatening forcing Parkway into some hurried clearances and conceding possession too easily in midfield.

After a jittery 15 minutes, Parkway gradually regained control with Koerner making a strong run forward on 81 minutes winning a free kick wide on the left which was cleared and recycled with Dean and Brett linking to set up Wright who hooked a spectacular effort narrowly wide. Play continued to be evenly contested, switching from end to end in a frantic finish to the game with Banbury winning a free kick on the left on 89 minutes forcing a good save by Griffiths from Dias.

In the 5 minutes of added time Wright was put in the clear but closed down in the 18 yard area and denied a shooting opportunity with the final play seeing Banbury pressing hard for the equaliser but Parkway remaining solid at the back and holding out for a deserved victory.

A keenly contested game, well managed by the referee, with Parkway generally controlling the first half by dominating possession and playing at a high tempo and creating the clearer chances. Banbury however competed well throughout and enjoyed periods of control creating their own pressure particularly towards the end of the second half. Parkway showed both sides of their game with neat and tidy possession based football in the first half with a more resilient display defensively when under pressure in the second. Performances are gradually improving, partnerships forming and confidence growing, however individual errors, particularly at the back, must be eradicated if the current momentum is to be maintained and taken into their league fixtures.

Before resuming their league fixtures at home to AFC Totton on Tuesday 15 October, Parkway’s progress in National competitions continues and they can look forward to Mondays FA Trophy draw with optimism before entertaining National League South (step 2) side Worthing FC in the 4th round qualifying of the FA Cup next Saturday where a win would take them into the 1st round proper with the possibility of being drawn against a League 1 or 2 side.