After a successful
pre-season campaign that bred much confidence
amongst the Southbank squad, the new season
kicked off with a disappointing defeat away to
Burghfield based The Black Boy.
In sweltering
conditions Holton's team failed to play the free flowing football that had
been evident throughout pre-season and two sloppy goals gifted Black Boy all
three points in a game that The 'Bank will look back on with nothing but
embarrassment.
Holton's plans
were disrupted by the news that midfielders Mark Broomfield and Andy
MacArthur had missed the deadline for signing on and so were unavailable.
They were soon joined by Paddy Murphy - missing in action from a heavy
Saturday night! - and Olly Bradbury who was only fit enough to take a place
on the bench. Long term injuries also ruled Allan Kemp, Andy Hyslop and Ben
Duncan out of contention whilst Ben Thurgood and Paul Towner were unavailable
this weekend. Although this removed some of his selection dilemmas it was
hardly an ideal build up to the game.
As it was Black
Boy enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with keeper Luke Howroyd
pulling off a couple of excellent one-on-one saves. At the other end chances
were few and far between with the Southbank front line frustrated by either a
well marshalled back four or a flag happy linesman.....Somewhat against the
run of play Steve Woodrow managed to give Southbank
the lead with the opening goal of the season when he fired home with his
right foot in amongst a crowded penalty area.
The lead was
almost wiped out when Black Boy headed narrowly over from one of a succession
of dangerous corners. A deserved equaliser soon followed as a well struck
free kick was saved by a sprawling Howroyd. However, under pressure from the
onrushing Black Boy forwards, it was all the keeper could do to get an
outstretched hand to the ball and unfortunately this resulted in the ball
spinning into Howroyd's own net for what should technically go down as an own
goal.
With just
seconds to go of a poor first half Southbank looked to regain the lead. As
the ball came loose from a corner skipper Steve 'Budda' Booth made a
desperate lunge to win the ball with a somewhat high tackle on an advancing
Black Boy defender. The clash of bodies saw Budda damage ankle ligaments and
end his participation in the game amongst Black Boy calls for a red card!
Holton switched
things around at half time with Olly Bradbury coming on for the injured Budda
and slotting in alongside Simon 'Hightower' Price at centre-half. Southbank
went on to enjoy the greater possession in the second half and in a reverse
of the first half created the better goal scoring opportunities. The best of
these fell to Bryce Bellman who managed to direct a 6 yard tap in from an
inch perfect Woodrow cross straight at the home keeper. The keeper also
pulled off fine save from a well struck shot from outside the area to again
prevent Bellman giving The 'Bank a deserved second half lead.
Further chances
for Nader Gehawi and Woodrow went begging before Black Boy clinched all
three points with ten minutes to go. A fluffed goal kick from Howroyd only
went as far as a Black Boy forward who ran the ball into the box, evading
Bradbury's sliding challenge before picking out his strike partner for an
easy tap in at the far post to spark the Black Boys celebrations.
All in all
a poor performance on top of a disappointing result which left Holton to mull
over his team for the opening home fixture of the season against Real
Ladygrove at Coley Park. With a number of players to return to the fold
there could be a few disappointed players after such an abject performance!
Team (4-4-2):
Howroyd, Booth (Bradbury 45), Latch, Price, Fitzpatrick, Gull, Brown, Gale,
Bellman (Holton 85), Woodrow, Gehawi