Birmingham City striker scores in debut National League appearance.

Ben Beresford, a 19-year-old striker for Birmingham City, was signed by Banbury United on loan three days ago, and he has already scored goals for his new team.

The Blues striker scored in his first-ever match against Curzon Ashton in a 4-1 loss on Saturday to wrap up his debut for the Puritans. This season, Beresford has scored eight goals in the National League North, including the second goal in the eventual loss.

The striker, who is on his second loan of the year, has yet to make an impact for Birmingham’s first team. He played for Gloucester City throughout the first half of the season, making 21 appearances and scoring seven goals.

The 19-year-old will now put himself to the test for Banbury in the National League North’s same division. His new team is now in 22nd place in the league standings, with his old team, Gloucester, one spot below them in 23rd. The attacker may contribute to his former team’s defeat in the remaining games.

Beresford has played for Birmingham’s under-18 team in 17 games, scoring four goals in the FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League last year. Although he has played offensive midfield in the National League North this season, his strongest position is center forward.

Banbury supporters are already aware of the player’s talent because they witnessed him lead the Tigers to victory over them back in January. He will be facing a team that has lost their previous nine games, including the one they played over the weekend.

The teenager committed to St Andrews for two years with the option of one more when he signed his first professional deal there last summer.

Birmingham is sending young striker Beresford to some of the hardest environments to help further his development. Placing kids in awkward positions is a typical practice in junior football, and the 19-year-old’s development will undoubtedly benefit from a relegation battle in the National League North.

Banbury has a chance to survive, but they’ll need to start winning quickly. If they win all three of their remaining games against Darlington, who is currently in 20th place, they will tie the score at 46 points apiece. The remaining ten games for the Puritans and their new addition, Beresford, should be thrilling.