Glen Taylor scored twice as Moors produced a second half super show to brush Banbury United aside and secure an eye-catching opening day National League North victory.
The Moors marksman hit the net in clinical fashion ten minutes after the break and added a second from the penalty spot, with Danny Greenfield also on target on a brilliant afternoon in Oxfordshire.
In Jamie Chandler’s first competitive game in charge, Moors set about their task with enthusiasm and were the better side during an entertaining first half during which neither side’s finishing matched the build-up play.
Rob Ramshaw dragged a shot wide after good football, while Callum Ross saw an effort deflected wide and Taylor curled an effort just too high.
James Montgomery – outstanding on his debut – made a couple of good saves to keep Banbury at bay, maintaining concentration to gather a couple of skidding shots made more difficult by the rainy conditions.
There was a key moment early in the second half when Craig Hewitt sprinted clear on goal only for Montgomery to dart from his line to spread himself and make a wonderful block.
That proved crucial because minutes later Moors lead. Josh Doherty – another who was excellent on debut – swung a cross in from the left and Greenfield’s knockdown found Taylor who rifled home to make it 1-0.
While Banbury tried to recover their composure, Moors struck again. Greenfield won the ball back as The Puritans tried to attack and set Chandler’s men off on a blistering counter-attack. A wonderful pass to Ramshaw on the right was matched by a low ball across the area which was tapped home gleefully by Greenfield.
And Moors were in dreamland on 68 minutes when Taylor chopped inside from the right and was tripped inside the box. The front man picked himself up and sent the Banbury goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to double his afternoon’s tally and make it 3-0.
To their credit, the hosts did clear their heads and begin to search for a consolation but Moors still carried a threat at the other end and Taylor could have completed a hat-trick near the end when he glanced a back post header just wide.
Full Time: Banbury United 0 Moors 3
Banbury United: Harding, Tompkins, Maye, Davies, Fleming, Hamilton (Barlow 69), D’Ath, Scott, Farah (Elliott-Wheeler 69), Charles, Hewitt.
Subs not used: Obadeyi, Henderson, Tapp.
Moors: Montgomery, Ledger, Pollock, Staunton, Doherty, McKeown, Greenfield (Anderson 69), Ross (Fielding 90), Ramshaw, Taylor, Harris (Shanks 83).
Subs not used: Mbeka, Mouat.
Booked: Ross (57), Ledger (80), Anderson (90)
Referee: Matthew Jackson
Attendance: 701 (59 Spennymoor Town)
