Parker heads late Waders winner to make Banbury cross

The chances of Waders making the Southern League Premier play-offs are slim, although not impossible. However the side can take great heart from this 2-1 victory which was the first over a side placed higher than them in the standings.

The game started well for the boys in green, back at the Carlsberg Stadium at last after two tricky away fixtures.

Craig Daniel put one curling shot just outside the post and Rhys Hoenes fired straight into the keeper’s hands before Gavin Hoyte struck with half an hour gone.

The big defender went up for a corner which was not cleared and in the melee that ensued Hoyte swung his boot at the ball to power through a crowd of players to give the home side a deserved lead.

Banbury had their moments with Johnson firing the wrong side of the post and McDonagh bringing out a double save from Ian Brown.

With four minutes to go before the break, a free kick found Jack Self on his own at the far post and his deflected shot found the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Banbury were a different side in the second session, pressing hard but not carving out a clear opportunity. Only McDonagh again tested Brown who pulled off yet another high class save.

As the clock ticked down the Waders started to believe again. A strong feature this season has seen Biggleswade play to the end with so many goals coming late in the game.

So it proved again as Hoenes danced down the right flank avoiding all in his path, and his pinpoint cross found Parker leaping above keeper and defenders to head home from six yards.

It was harsh on Banbury who had played well in the second period but a welcome three points for the Waders.