THREE second-half goals sent Banbury United crashing to an opening 3-0 defeat at home to Swindon Supermarine in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League on Saturday.
Leam Howards and Ricky Johnson went close in the first half for Banbury, who were relegated last season.
Supermarine gradually took control and scored after the break through Ash Taylor and Connor Waldon to lead 2-0.
The result was settled with a penalty from Luke Hooper after he had been upended by Jon Steedman.
A rueful Puritans boss Mike Ford said: “We didn’t take our chances in the first half and they took theirs in the second – that’s football.
“If we play like we did in the second half on Saturday, it could be a long season.”
Banbury Utd: Tupper, Eadle, White, Bowles, Gunn, Steedman, McEachran (Evangelinos 63), Tappin, Johnson, Howards ( Joyce 63), Bell ( Martin 66). Subs not used: Cox, McLaughlin.
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