Halse United U16s kicked off their 2026/27 campaign in lively fashion against Banbury United, producing a performance full of energy, commitment and moments of real quality despite a frustrating final scoreline.

United started brightly and were rewarded early. After just eleven minutes, Alex Bogdan opened the scoring with a composed finish following a well‑worked move . The momentum stayed firmly with Halse, and five minutes later Bogdan struck again, this time combining smartly with Luis Ward, whose clever assist carved open the Banbury defence.

Barely a minute passed before United added a third. Leo Bhosle reacted quickest inside the box to turn home another flowing attack, with Bogdan turning provider to cap a superb opening spell from the home side.

A double substitution on the half‑hour mark saw Louis Café and Oliver Snelgrove enter the action, adding fresh legs as United looked to maintain control. However, Banbury found a foothold just before the break, pulling a goal back on 36 minutes to narrow the margin.

The second half proved more challenging. Banbury grew in confidence and struck again on 61 minutes, then levelled the match five minutes later with a well‑taken finish. Despite United’s efforts to regain control, Banbury completed their comeback with a fourth goal in the 73rd minute, moments after Tobias Chapman received a yellow card during a competitive battle.

Although the result slipped away, the opening 20 minutes showcased the attacking potential and teamwork this United side possesses. With star player Harry Ayres recognised for his standout contribution, there are plenty of positives to build on.

The squad now looks ahead to their next fixture, determined to turn strong passages of play into a full 80‑minute performance and bounce back with confidence.