All square in local ‘derby’

The Bank and Southcote Video fought out a tough draw at Kings Meadow in what has now become accustomed as the local ‘derby’ between the sides. Like the past few weeks the Bank were at the bare bones for this fixture and were able to just about field 11 players as long term injuries and other reasons making it a tough job for Holton. In total the Bank had an entire team missing through injuries, suspension and availability, which is making it clearly difficult for Holton.

Attack was to prove the most troublesome area this week as the absent Woodrow and injured Holton, meant it had to field an untried front pair of Andy (Macca) Macarthur and Rene following last weeks emphatic win. However, like previous fixtures with Video, this game is all about determination and fight, sometimes literally and what ever team Holton would have put out would have required these characteristics.

As it turned out this was a battling point from the Bank as they were forced to defend for long periods as Video proved they were ‘up’ for the game and serious contenders to win this fixture, something which has eluded them for the past couple of years.

The Bank started with a 3-5-2 formation allowing Sparky to begin in midfield alongside Thurgood and Towner, with Hightower alongside Weasel and Hyslop. However, Video seemed comfortable to play against this formation as their fullbacks received lots of the ball and pushed on isolating our wingbacks and putting plenty of pressure on the midfield and defence, although Harvey in goal wasn’t troubled too much during the first 30 minutes as it was the Bank who struck first on the counter. Macca receiving the ball on the half-way line traveled forward, 20 yards before unleashing a long-range lob come volley over the stranded Video goalie, who seemed so far out he was almost a central defence.

This didn’t deter Video as they continued to press especially with our midfield having a tough battle against the energetic and powerful Video midfield. Just as the Bank appeared to weather the storm a corner was swung in to the box and somehow a free header allowed to the forward to power it into the net and equalize. Video were now on the ascendancy and the Bank had to ride it out, Video almost snatching a second goal as a mix up with Harvey and the centre forward, allowing the ball to brake 10 yards out for a certain goal, only for Hightower to be put his considerable frame in the way and block what would have been certain goal.

The second period saw the Bank change back to 4-4-2 but again Video made plenty of the running and the Bank continued to defend their 18 yard box, sometimes desperately as Video’s energy threatened to overrun the Bank. However, in a second period of few chances, the Bank nearly grabbed all three points in the few minutes, when our only corner was swung in allowing Hightower to almost glance home, only for it to be cleared.

In retrospect the Bank will be happier with the draw than Video but based on the effort and energy of the players a welcome reward for the past few weeks’ effort. Sometimes you do not always get what you think you deserve but the Bank can rightly feel that they deserved something from the game based on effort alone.

Next week brings Trentonians @ Coley Park and hopefully the return of some reinforcements although as the norm, Holton may have to deal with the loss of one of two of this weeks’ heroes….where’s the commitment he must think J