Law pleased with Poppies' second-half reaction

The Poppies boss made a number of changes to his starting line-up and they twice had to come from behind to clinch their place in the second round.

They found themselves 2-1 down after the hosts converted two penalties, both awarded for handball, while Brett Solkhon had brought them back to 1-1 at one stage.

But second-half goals from Andrea Borg and Michael Richens secured the win.

And Law had a clear message for the players on the fringes of the first-team after he admitted they were in need of a “reality check” after the first half.

“It’s obviously always pleasing to get any kind or win,” the Poppies boss said.

“The main aim was to get through and we are pleased to have done so.

“It was a chance for some people to show us their worth and in the first half we really didn’t show enough.

“We can’t just have players coming along for the journey.

“We need these lads on the fringes to show that they are capable of pushing the boys who have taken us to the top of the league early in the season.

“It was a bit of a reality check at half-time and the response in the second half was pretty good.

“I think Banbury had two shots on target all game and those were the penalties so that made it a decent effort overall.”