Good Form Continues

 
The Bank continued there recent good form with a win over Kennet Vale. Another clean sheet, a third in four games and three points in the bag before the crunch games against Englefield, is just what Holton ordered. In fairness to Kennet however, although the result read 5-0, it could well have read something like 9-4 due to the number of chance.

 Holton was able to finally welcome back Ricky Gale to the team following his recent prolonged absence along with Mark Broomfield and the recent issues about commitment well and truly behind, fielded a strong team with renewed commitment and a message nothing more than 3 points will do.

 The Bank took to the opponents early and struck within the first couple of minutes as good work down the right by Reno, followed by a cross in from the left, provided the returning Gale with the simplest task of scoring from three yards out. Following that, Kennet’s formation which redefined traditional 4-4-2 began to provide Southbank problems with long searching balls from back to front. They did hold firm defensively however but it make for a scrappy opening twenty minutes. With 25 minutes gone the Bank grabbed a second, with Towner getting his first of the season with an instinctive flick 3 yards out deflecting Hightower’s header home following another corner to give the Bank a 2-0 lead. As the half progressed the Bank played on the counter with Bellman replacing the injured Hightower in defence, Woodrow amongst others having a number of chances to add to the score, although some excellent goalkeeping preventing the score increasing 

The pattern of the game in the second half continued the same way as Kennet continued to skip the midfield and go direct against the Bank’s defence which stood firm. The Bank toiled with the approach and were unable to add a third until a break down the left around 70 minutes by Woodrow provided the excellent Gale with the chance to bury from 10 yards out with his left foot and wrap the points up.

 From here, Harvey was asked to make a number of impressive saves to keep a clean sheet as Kennet continued to press the best coming when Kennet broke forward and in what seemed an easier to score opportunity, Harvey producing a ‘cat-like’ save to preserve his clean sheet . Chances came and went as for the Bank but with 15 minutes to go, the Bank added a two more late goals with Sparky rising to head home his first of the season from a corner, before Reno who had another impressive game added a fifth right at the death to complete an impressive victory and leave the Bank with ambitions further up the table.

 The recent weeks (4 games) has sent the Bank score 22 goals, keep 3 clean sheets and gain 10 points from 12 but more importantly a new found confidence. The team must continue to remain committed and produce high energy performances, if this run is to continue with games against Englefield (twice) and Mortimer due in the coming weeks.  Third place is a real possibility but is vitally important the Bank wins the remaining six games to stand a chance of ending the season third. The Table never lies and it would be a shame to look back with too many regrets on performances come the end of the season.

Team