A LATE goal from Jefferson Louis gave Banbury United a 3-2 home victory over the Evo-Stik Southern League champions Chippenham Town in a friendly on Saturday.

With an entertaining game heading for a draw, the much-travelled striker fired a 20-yard free-kick into the bottom corner of the net to nick the win.

In an eventful opening, Sam Humphreys forced a good save from Chippenham’s James Rae, while at the other end Andy Sandell’s well-struck shot was parried by home keeper Jasko Keranovic onto the bar.

Banbury took the lead in the 12th minute when Louis’s cross from the right was turned into his own net by Will Richards from the edge of the six-yard box.

The visitors equalised in the 34th minute, when Sandell’s low cross was struck home by Josh Morgan-Williams.

Banbury went close to regaining the lead before the interval, when Louis’s fierce shot hit the underside of the bar, the ball bouncing down and running away for a throw-in.

However, it was Chippenham who went ahead five minutes into the second half when Dave Pratt fired past Keranovic from long range.

The Puritans were soon level, when Humphreys’s corner was played back to him.

He fed Jack Self, whose cross to the far post was headed in by Pond.

Dave Pratt went close to restoring Chippenham’s lead when his shot from the edge of the Banbury penalty and hit a post.

Ten minutes from time Banbury’s Under 18 player Ryan McDonald’s curling shot from the left hand edge of the penalty area went just wide, but then Louis settled it.

The day also saw Marvin Martin and Jacob Blackstock sign league forms for Banbury, bringing their number of registered players to 15.