Southbank clinched promotion to the premier league with two games to spare after a comfortable 3-2 win over Southcote Video Reserves at Coley Park.  In a game littered with goalkeeping errors Simon Price scored his first Saunday League goal, a thunderous drive into the top corner from 25 yards, whilst midfielder Allan Kemp claimed a brace to ensure a Southbank victory.

 

With Southbank requiring just one point to secure promotion Player/Manager Mark Holton made a tactical switch for this promotion clash.  In an attempt to gain control of the midfield Holton employed a 4-5-1 formation with Steve Woodrow left alone upfront with Ricky Gale deployed in a deeper role.  The only changes to the starting eleven from the AFC Victory starting line-up seeing Steve Brown replacing Mark Broomfield on the left side of midfield, and skipper Booth returning at right back in place of the travelling Andy Hyslop.

 

The switch worked well as Southbank took hold of the game from the off, Towner, Kemp and Gale stamping their authority on the Video midfield and Woodrow causing mayhem on his own upfront.  But then, with Southbank firmly in the driving seat, Holton's plans were thrown in to disarray as Gale was given his marching orders after allegedly using foul and abusive language directed at the Referee.  This rocked Southbank for a short time but they soon came back strong and controlled the game for the remainder of the half. 

 

Unfortunately, this didn't stop Video taking the lead as a free kick from the left floated harmlessly into the box.  Luke Howroyd in the Southbank goal seemed to have it covered when he came out to claim it.  As the wind swirled Luke misjudged the flight and fumbled the ball into the back of the net to give Video an unlikely lead.  Not for the first time this season Southbank then came back and showed the character to grind out a result.  Good chances followed for Woodrow (shooting narrowly wide after beating 4 men) and Thurgood (missing a sitter from two yards in front of goal) before Kemp bundled home in a goal mouth scramble following a corner to level the scores.  As Southbank looked to see out the half Steve Brown took a quick throw back to keeper Luke.  Luke's attempt at clearing the ball only just managed to get out of his six yard box as his miscued kick landed at the feet of a Video forward who was left with a simple tap for a 2-1 lead.

 

With such an eventful first half Southbank took a well earned rest at half time confident in the belief that the game was theirs for the taking.  Ben Duncan returned to side after a long absence to replace the injured Paul Latch at left back and Southbank started the second half with a victory in mind.  Although The 'Bank were relishing the battle against the odds, nobody could've predicted the way in which man of the match Hightower dragged them back to 2-2.  With fellow centre half Danny Fitzpatrick up taking a long throw Hightower made an uncharacteristic run upfield to collect the ball as Video half cleared it.  With one foul swoop of his right "tree trunk" he half-volleyed the ball 25 yards in to the top corner to score his maiden 'Bank goal and only his second ever!

 

This freak accident clearly took Video by surprise as they seemed to give up the ghost from here on and it was no shock when Allan Kemp put Southbank ahead with a weak shot from the edge of the box.  Somehow it managed to crawl past Video's stand-in keeper to send Southbank into the Premier Division and leave Video a commendable 4th.  Southbank had further chances to go ahead and should even have been awarded a last minute penalty - but the referee decided against it! - when Holton was fouled in the box.

 

A much improved performance - possible due to the enforced absence of Gale - from The 'Bank which leaves them to ponder next seasons assault on the Premier Division and the freak of nature that saw Hightower finally score!