An eventful trip to Banbury

When I looked up Banbury United's football ground on Google Maps, all I could see was a slightly isolated looking lane. "Surely it's a bit easier to get to than that", I thought. I was wrong.

When looking for new football grounds to visit, I'm always attracted to stadiums within easy reach of train stations. Some brief online research revealed that Banbury's ground is an encouraging 400 yards from the station. But what a 400 yards.

On the walk to the ground, I found myself talking to a Banbury regular who helpfully offered to show me the most accessible entrance for wheelchair users. I guess the speedbumps should have offered some warning, but it was still a surprise to hear a taxi come up behind me. Turns out my powered wheelchair wasn't the only vehicle on the road.

Banbury, in red and yellow shirts with red shorts, are defending their goal. AFC Rushden and Diamonds are wearing yellow shirts with black shorts

Nevertheless, I managed to get to the ground in one piece. Although the club shop had a step, the assistant did her best and I was almost tempted by a particularly striking Banbury themed snood, before realising I was already wearing a perfectly good one.

The game itself was entertaining and played in front of an impressive crowd of 1055, no an attendance no doubt boosted by the home side's position at the top of the seventh-tier Southern League Premier Division Central. Banbury scored twice in the second half to seal a 2-0 victory over AFC Rushden and Diamonds after the visitors had earlier missed a penalty. Ironically, the goals came long after the home fans had abandoned their optimistic chant of: "We're going to score in a minute."

But the final whistle didn't signal the end of my adventure. I was so busy successfully avoiding a diverse selection of cars and taxis that I managed to miss the most Jamie-friendly exit to the station. Luckily there were another couple of helpful strangers on hand to shepherd my wheelchair over the slightly uneven terrain.

I get the feeling that the catchily-named Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium is one that's better for knowing. I'll definitely be back before too long, even if it's just to add to my gradually expanding section of non league mugs. In fact, maybe I do need a new snood after all...