Good Result Southbank made the long travel to Kidmore End on Sunday and returned with all 3 points despite squandering the lead twice. The day could not have got off to a worse start with a number of players disappearing with ‘mystery’ illnesses, which couldn’t possibly be linked to Holton’s birthday celebrations. At one point Hightower had 10 players to choose from but following some frantic calls and some personal wakeup calls was able to arrive at Kidmore, 15 minutes before kick-off and field a strong team and bench. So with Mig in for the Fletch who was away and Budda returning to the first time for the first time in nearly 18 months due to a serious injury sustained on the opening day of the 2005-2006 season,  the kicked off determined to claim the win and not let the morning chaos affect them. Excellent football followed as the class of 2006 set about their opponents. The Bank quickly took the lead inside the first 15 minutes, when a move involving 5 players and one touch football crossed for ‘Archie’ Jason McKie to head home and give an early lead. However, for all Southbank’s attacking ability they have a tendency this season to give away silly goals. Kidmore equalised with another silly goal, when a corner went straight in off the helpless Archie on the post. This was not in the script and was rather embarrassing considering the performance of the past 20 minutes. However, Southbank settled back down to play good football with the midfield of Wagner, Donal and Gale on for the injured Archie causing lots of problems for Kidmore and the running of Benji and Woodrow creating chances. It was from this running that Benji was able to claim the Bank’s second. A neat interchange of football on the edge of Kidmore’s box allowed Benji to skip through and restore the Bank’s lead; perhaps they could hold his a little longer. From here Bank should have buried the game, another excellent corner from Woodrow was headed back across the goal by Hightower but somehow both Benji and Bradbury failed to divert it home from all of 2 yards.  Budda also now settled back into the first team to add assurance and communication almost had a dream return, when another raid down the right allowed Budda 20 yards out to fire towards goal. He thought it had gone in as his reaction showed but it sailed narrowly over. However, again the Bank gave a soft second to Kidmore, a long punt from their goalkeeper found the back four flat but for a super save from Charlie the score remained level. However, the lead lasted about 30 seconds longer. From the resulting corner Bellman allowed his man to get off him and he headed home from 6 yards out. 2 each and the Bank were fuming with themselves. The second half however provided a more resilient performance, as the back five marshalled the Kidmore attack well and allow the Bank to literally set up camp in the opponents half. However, chances were few and far between, Kidmore restricting the Bank to channel running and long shots and the players became more and more frustrated. However, with time running out and Kidmore apparently happy to settle for a point, Bellman the legend redeemed himself for this sleepy defending in the first half to poke home from 5 yards out following good work by Benji down the right and give the Bank a deserved victory. With Black Boy folding last week this win was vital, Southbank were perhaps the only team to have collected 6 points from team and with the results being wiped out, had found themselves closer to the bottom than top. However, form is temporary and class is well almost permanent, these 3 points stopping any chance of being dragged further down. On to next week with County Arms at Kings Meadow, the Bank will be keen to exact revenge for an undeserving defeat at the start of the year, we shall see what happens. However, for now the Bank are very much back in the running for a top 4 finish.   Team: Cook, Booth (Woods), Frade, Bradbury, Price, Mackie (Gale), Wagner, Roughneen, Bellman, Woodrow, Williams