Is this the 1950’s Ref!!!
Southbank 1st met for the first time since the
Christmas break with a tricky encounter away at Mapledurham Cavaliers. The
encounter earlier in the season ended in a point a piece, this game was going
to be no different tight and tough.
Despite a number of long term injuries, including Luke,
Budda and Latchy, the Bank were still able to field a strong team, even
without the suspended Gale and injured Brown and Bellman. On the positive
side Murphy made a welcome return to the team but a late change for Hightower
to sub with an ankle injury meant a late reshuffle. However, hopes were high
for a positive result, as the Gaffer said during the pre-match team talk;
things can only get better after a bad end to 2005.
The first 45 minutes saw both teams try and come to terms
with the sticky conditions down the middle and this probably accounted for
the fact that there were few chances and even less shots on target. Bradbury
had the best of the Bank’s chances with two headers from corners which
couldn’t be directed on target, whilst Woodrow had to contend with scraps up
front and half chances.
The Cavaliers’ best option was always down their left side
and Hyslop had to be at his best to prevent the left-winger running all over
him. However, the opening goal for them came down the left. A speculative
ball between the centre-half and right back, found the left winger burning
through for the bye-line. Bradbury appeared to have things covered and made
an ‘excellent’ tackle, only to see bounce off one of the players for a cross
into six yard box which made an easy goal for the on-rushing Cavaliers’
player. 1 nil and perhaps just about deserved, although the Bank still coming
to terms with the conditions, did have opportunities but were unable to
convert them into goals.
The second half saw a little rework of the team. MacArther
who picked up a knee injury and doing well to survive till half-time was
replaced by Towner that saw another reshuffle with Broomfield taking the left
side of midfield. The second half was almost identical as the first,
Cavaliers making most of the running but clearly needing some ‘shooting
practise’ as most of the opportunities went over the bar or wide.
Hightower was forced into action for the injured Hyslop on
the hour but things only got worse on the injury front for the Bank from
here. Cavaliers had two goals disallowed mid-way through one for off-side,
the second excellently played by Harvey in goal. With the Cavaliers being
awarded a free-kick 20 yards outside the penalty box everybody expected a
direct shot, which is exactly what happened. Luckily both the ref and Harvey
were awake to disallow it as the free-kick was in fact indirect. Harvey, just
let it roll in…at least our goalie was awake!
With the Bank pushing for the equaliser, Cavaliers scored
what could only be described as a blast from the past. A corner was swung
into the box, Harvey attempts to deal with the cross were stopped by an
obvious block on him, which enabled the ball to sail directly in. Somehow the
referee, perhaps thinking it was still the 1950’s allowed the goal, assuming
that physical contact on goalies is allowed…hopefully he realises charging
the goalkeeper is no longer allowed!!!
The Bank were really up against it but to be fair
continued to battle and Cavaliers continued to push forward looking for a
third. To top things off, Bradbury limped off leaving the team with 10
players for the last 10 minutes and Holton clearly in trouble with his long
running back injury did his best through to the end, leaving the Bank to
reflect on a defeat and two must win games in the next two weeks, Purley and
Video…Only six points will do otherwise the Bank are in serious trouble.
For this Holton can only hope the commitment shown by the
players this week is maintained over the next couple, hopefully to include
the return of some of the missing players. The Bank needs you in the next
couple of weeks and asks that we all make the extra effort!!
Team (4-4-2):
Harvey, Hyslop(Price), Gull, Fitzpatrick, Bradbury, Haimes, Murphy, Broomfield,
MacArthur (Towner)), Woodrow, Holton