Hibbert grabs last-minute winner for Arlesey

A last-gasp strike from substitute Leon Hibbert saw Arlesey Town maintain their play-off hopes with a 2-1 win over Banbury United on Thursday evening.

Hibbert had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds when he struck what could be a crucial goal for the Blues this season.

For their sixth game in 13 days, the hosts unsurprisingly made changes to the side who had won the Red Insure Cup at Frome as in came James Hatch, Ben Farrell and Chris Marsh, while Ryan Frater dropped to the bench.

Arlesey started well as James Hatch’s 30-yard half volley hit the crossbar before going over, before he fired another long-range effort just wide.

Banbury’s Kynan Issac forced a good save from Nathan Abbey, but in the 27th minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men as Warren Plowright lunged in on Marsh and was shown a straight red.

Marsh was able to continue as Hatch tested Darren Carter from distance again, while Abbey denied Issac once more.

Ben Farrell and Scott Bridges were both booked after tangling with each other and in the second half, Farrell fired wide and Ollie Thorne saw his header fly over.

Banbury’s night became even tougher as Luke Gray fouled Thorne in the area and was dismissed as United now had just nine men, but Drew Roberts put his spot kick wide.

The visitors had their manager sent to the stands too, while Dillon and Marsh were off target, before Kim Forsythe saw his shot well saved by Carter.

Against the run of play, Banbury took the lead on 71 minutes when Issacs shot was saved by Abbey, only for the forward to fire home the rebound.

The visitors celebrations were short-lived though as with their concentration broken a deep cross found Marsh who ghosted into the far post area and headed past Carter to equalise.

With time running out, Hibbert replaced Farrell and saw his snap shot beat Carter as Arlesey snatched victory at the death.

The Blues are back in action today when they host AFC Totton.

Arlesey Town: Nathan Abbey, Cam Mawer, Josh Cook, Danny Gordon (Stuart Farrell 82), James Hatch (Kim Forsythe 67), Ben Farrell (Leon Hibbert 89), Ollie Thorne, Chris Dillon, Drew Roberts, Chris Marsh.

Subs not used: Ryan Frater, Nick Bussey.

Banbury United: Darren Carter, Luke Gray, Ryan Plowright, Jack Ashton ©, Wayne Blossom, Ben Polk, Scott Bridges, Adeyinka Talabi (Martin Martin 46, Michael Hopkins 73), Albi Skenda, Kynan Isaac (Harry White 85), Warren Plowright.

Subs not used: Nasil Sharief.

Attendance: 87.

MOM: Chris Marsh.