Police launch an appeal after number of serious incidents reported at the Banbury United v Nuneaton Borough game on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides played out quite the clash, with Southern League Premier Division Central outfit Nuneaton Borough producing an FA Trophy upset in knocking out Banbury United of the National League North.
Nuneaton took an early lead on the 5th minute, Leroy Lita’s effort deflected off a defender and into the net.
Then Banbury went level on 39 minutes as Jack Davies crossed to Tai Fleming who headed into the ground and beat the keeper at his near post.
Nuneaton full back Alex Lafleur sent a strike hard and low past the keeper to put the away side ahead again just before the break.
With around 15 minutes remaining of normal time to go, Boro skipper Scott McManus got above everyone to direct the corner into the goal, making it 3-1 Nuneaton.
But Banbury quickly got one back shortly after, the ball breaking to Adi Yussuf in the box and fired across the keeper and into the corner.
Nuneaton wrapped up the game on 96 minutes, Owen Oseni tackled the keeper and put the ball into an empty net, with Boro going home the happier after winning 4-2.
There’s no fans quite like Boro fans! pic.twitter.com/cucJ1dcozq
— Nuneaton Borough FC (@NuneatonBoroFC) November 18, 2023
POLICE STATEMENT:
Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a number of offences at Banbury United Football Club on Saturday (18/11).
The incidents occurred between 2pm and 5pm at Banbury United’s game against Nuneaton.
A group walked through Banbury Town Centre on the way to the stadium, at approximately 2.30pm and whilst on route to the ground set off a pyrotechnic.
Flares and pyrotechnics were also set off within the ground along with reports of an assault and an exposure incident.
PC Alex Locke, dedicated football officer, said: “We are working with Banbury United to investigate these incidents and identify those involved. Our work will continue with Banbury United and the local neighbourhood policing team to ensure Banbury and its football club is a safe and enjoyable place for supporters to come and watch football.
“I am appealing to anyone with information about these offences to contact us by calling 101 or making a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230519566.
“I am also appealing to anyone with video footage of any of the incidents to get in touch with us.
“Alternatively, you can report information to us anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
APPEAL❗
We are appealing for witnesses following a number of offences at Banbury United on Saturday (18/11).
They occurred between 2pm and 5pm at Banbury United’s game against Nuneaton.
Any info 📞 101 quoting ref 43230519566.
Read more – https://t.co/8Fow8gr6RZ pic.twitter.com/ULGA4dZcyh
— TVP Banbury (@TVP_Banbury) November 21, 2023
Twitter users gave their reaction as police launch an appeal after a number of serious incidents reported at Banbury v Nuneaton…
@oreo_phillips: Get your facts right and then report. PC Locke & @TVP_Banbury please tell me you know the difference between blue and red… Because blue smoke bombs, ain’t for a team in red you sausage.
@mattbraggcomedy: That was very very shit. Football aside, can we also lose the frisks going in? Creates a massive queue, everyone got one today and yet Nuneaton still had more flares than the fucking navy.
@mattbraggcomedy: Also, state of this. @TVP_Banbury making out like Banbury fans are at fault when it was entirely the away support. No wonder attendance was almost sub 400 tonight, combo of them lot and the council have been trying to quieten the football club up for years now. Grim.
@TownendReds: and for a club going bust. their fans seemed to have an awful lot of spare coins flying our way 🤣
@HowseChris: Makes you wonder if away fans are being searched going into the ground! And then when an away fan is openly getting his knob out in the ground but I suppose that’ll be Banbury fans fault! That’s just with football aside!
@SpencerReds: I spoke to some coppers tonight & expressed my views on how poorly the statement was. They admitted it was only Nuneaton fans they are looking into, but the communication on the statement is poorly worded and causing a detriment on future new fans and this tweet proves it. 😔
@GWP84: We had one game without being frisked or being told to empty our pockets, absolute farce.
@_HVN_06: Some twats in the Nuneaton end, hope this helps
@PD_Deluxe: @BanburyUnitedFC would love to bring my young kids along to a game but with reports like this I’ll be staying away until something is done
@mattbraggcomedy: Sadly it was away fans causing the bother above, vast majority of which wouldn’t have even been seen by any Banbury supporters. Don’t let it put you or the kids off, it’s a good setup down there now 👍🏻
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