Woodrow saves the day Southbank dropped further points this week, as for the second week in three failed to record a double over a team which they had already beaten earlier in the season. Despite missing a central midfield partnership in Jason Wagner (Suspended) and Donal (MIA), Hightower was still able to name a strong squad and team and really was looking for 3 points. However, there was no 3 points this week and actually nearly ended up with nothing as the Bank’s problems in front of goal and to a certain degree defending again the main reasons. In a game which encountered all weather conditions including wind, rain, snow, hail and sun, the first half was a difficult and scrappy affair as the Bank lost the toss and had to fight into a strong head wind. But for some good keeping from Charlie Cook, returning to excellent form they could have found themselves behind. Instead the halftime whilst sounded with no goals and a heavy hail storm, time to take cover. The second half started in sunshine and should have been the Bank’s opportunity, however the wind dropped somewhat and the sun now out helped to provide more suitable conditions for football. The Bank should have taken the lead 20 minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty for what appeared to be handball. However, after consultation amongst several players, Benji apparently confident enough stepped up and simple failed to hit the target. The miss really was a classic example of the way Southbank season has gone, failure to take chance after chance when on top in games. The missed penalty didn’t deter the Bank and they soon took the lead with Ryan Derman’s first goal for the team since his arrival a month or so ago to give them the 1 nil lead. For 10 minutes the Bank seemed content to play on the break but disaster defensively was just around the corner when Fletcher on for the injured Hightower conceded a penalty, which was confidently dispatched giving Charlie no chance. The morning was to get worse still when the Bank found themselves behind to Kidmore, when a counter attack found the Bank light defensively and allowed the same player who scored the penalty to run most of the pitch in support and roll the ball into an empty net when squared across and appear to secure Kidmore all 3 points. How the missed penalty was beginning to look crucial!!! However what has been apparent this season is the Bank’s willingness to battle and not give in against any teams. In players like Benji, Haimes and Archie they have players with plenty of fight and this showed through again today. Back they came and started to pepper Kidmore’s goal, with their keeper pulling of one fine save and two further efforts from corners hitting the cross bar and a separate chance being cleared off the line. As the Bank continued to apply the pressure, the referee sent off a Kidmore player for giving the referee grief, hardly a reason I know but at this point Hightower was taking any advantage. From here the Bank went all out here and really tightened the screw throwing caution to the wind in search of an equaliser. Then with time running out and scrambled chances not producing results, man of the match Woodrow bailed the team out, finishing with a bullet like shot 12 yards out with his trusted left foot to secure a point for the Bank. In hindsight 2 points dropped but at this stage of the season and with little to play for, Hightower has an eye on next season as he now has a collection of good individual footballers, all he needs to do is find the right combination.   Team: Cook, Haimes, Frade, Bradbury, Price (Fletcher), Mackie, Derman (Small), Woods, Allen, Woodrow, Williams