The 2004-05 season drew to a disappointing close for Southbank.  The first team needed to win their last two games to stay in the Premier Division but both games ended in defeat for Holton's team and their finishing position of 10th will mean a return to Division One football for The 'Bank.  Things could've been so different if the attitude and application had been a bit more consistent since the turn of the year.  This match report from the Earley United game (click here) probably does a lot to sum up recent performances.

At Christmas it looked all so different!  At that point 4th place was in reach but dropped points in games we should've won saw a worrying slide towards relegation.  A lack of goals and some costly mistakes saw only 3 wins from 9 games in 2005.  This, coupled with Kidmore and Earley's late charges, and  Southbank found themselves leaving a division from the wrong end for the first time in the clubs history.

What makes this even more frustrating is that Holton's team could so easily have finished a lot higher in a league in which no side really handed out a beating to the hoops. 

Even finishing in 10th The 'Bank took points from every team bar bogey side Theale and 7th placed IBIS.  A point that should've been 3 against undefeated Abbey, the 2-1 defeat to 3rd placed Whitely was a travesty, whilst a win and a draw saw Southbank easily come out on top against 4th place Tilehurst!  5th placed Earley Home Guard failed to beat The 'Bank in 3 attempts and so the end to the season is all the more disappointing.

So what was the problem?  A lack of goals seems to have been the key, and that's down to the whole squad, not just the forwards.  29 goals from 20 league games was the 3rd worst record in the division and only Steve Woodrow managed to get in to double figures while the midfield only contributed 8 goals all season!   It seems that the loss of Ricky Gale to Southcote Video and Player/Manager Mark Holton's absence since October due to injury has hit the team hard. 

Does this bode well for next season?  That depends on the commitment and attitude of the players.  This year the 1st Team have used a staggering 32 players!  Whilst its nice to see some of the Reserves stepping up and acquitting themselves well, the fact that they were called on quite so much is disappointing as only 8 players played more than 75% of games.

So to next season.....The squad is certainly good enough to play at Premier Division level, whether or not we are there remains to be seen.  What is evident is that a greater goal threat is needed and a little more commitment would be nice! 

Season Highlights:  End of Season Tour to Bournemouth!

                                     Each and every 'Bank holiday Sunday                                    

                                     Beating Alfreads 2-0 away from home.

                                     Being 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go against undefeated champions Abbey

Season Lowlights:  Conceding 2 goals in the last 15 minutes against Abbey

                                    Losing 3-2 to Southcote Video Res

                                    Lack of goals and the form since Christmas

                                    Getting Relegated

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