It’s all in the finishing

Southbank entertained Chosley United in what was billed as an early ‘top of the table’ clash at Coley Park on Sunday morning. With both teams having 100% records going into Game 4 something was bound to give as both teams would look to move forward with their 100% records in tact.

On what is proving to be a ‘pathetic’ example of a football pitch which the Reading Council should be ashamed off, United set about the Bank from the onset despite repeated warnings from Hightower to make sure they were ready physically and mentally for the game. United adapting to the bogey pitch easily, aided by a additional player in central midfield area made all the running but made little impact on goal as either the final ball or strong defending kept them at bay. Chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half, the best ones for Cholsey coming as Luke was called into make a brave point blank save as the striker battled with Hightower and on the break from a Bank corner, one of the United midfielders breaking from dead with a clear run on goal only to blast over from about 12 yards out. The Banks only chance came when a ‘spirited’ run from Raph resulted in a snap shot 20 yards out which saw the Cholsey Keeper Gesner save.

The second half started with the substitution of Shaz for Donal which resulted in Tully who perhaps had his best game for the Bank filling at right-back and immediately the Bank seemed to improve their levels, both with the ball retention and distribution. Jason and Gale were still struggling to keep hold of the three United centre midfielders but the introduction of Donal to drop deep and provide an additional physical presence in midfield and additional goal scoring threat enabling the Bank clawed their way back into the game.

Still the game remained tight and very few opportunities presented themselves and as the game wore on, a set piece or the single goal seemed to be the only way the game would be settled. Without doubt Cholsey equipped themselves better on the day and played some of the better football, as the Bank struggled with the pitch conditions, which is fast proving not ideal to the way they want to play the game. However, like all matches both teams have a time in the game where they must capitalise on their opportunities in the form of goals. The Bank had their chances in the second half, yet failed to score, although this had as much to do with the performance of the Cholsey keeper Gesner as self-belief from the Bank strikers. Twice one on one opportunities presented themselves, firstly for Benji who scampered free from the defenders only to find Gesner in good form to block is shot and then Donal who ran the length of the pitch almost and with legendary Southbank goal scoring status beckoning couldn’t find the net as the giant keeper again kept the United in the game.

At this point with the game stretched, the opportunity was there for the Bank to win, however disruption followed on about 70 minutes as Mig retired injured due to a ‘solid’ challenge, ankle and foot ligament damage confirmed in the hospital means The Bank will be without him for about a month. Mig was replaced by Dan as the team changed to a 3-5-2 formation. At this point the momentum the Bank had was taken away as it left the bank exposed down the left side and utilimately this is where the game was lost.

On about 80 minutes a speculative long ball from the United defence found its way to the left hand side of Southbank’s defence and with the confidence of conceding no goal for over 240 minutes the defence stood off the striker for a brief second, 20 yards out. With this space he’s hit an absolute rocket which left Luke with no chance and nestled against the side netting to leave the Bank on the ropes and staring defeat in the face.

Still the commitment and energy the Bank had put into the game would not dissolve and they continued to try and find an equaliser but with no luck. As the bank pushed forward a well crafted goal was scored enabling Cholsey to complete a second and secure the 3 points and leave the Bank with no reward from massive effort.

Hightower could never have asked for more effort during the game and the dejection in the changing rooms after the game told its own story, however the need for belief in front of goal and some luck is required in the coming weeks if The Bank are to continue to win their good start, a defeat in the bigger picture isn’t a disaster we can come back from this, this will be a tough league this year with 4 or 5 teams taking points off each other. However, the players need to believe in themselves a little more and move up a level with their performances over the coming weeks as autumn sets in. Without a doubt Hightower believes there all capable of moving up a level but only they as individuals can find the belief in themselves, goals win games after all!!!!

Team: Howroyd, Gull (Roughnegn), Frade (Djakovic), Price, Bradbury, Allen, Gale, Wagner, Bellman (Nolan), Williams, Tully