Return to Action with a win. The Bank returned to action after a two-week break with a tough tight game in the Berks & Bucks 1st round game against Division 2 East pace setters Rifle Volunteers. After a two week break and the form of the opposition, Hightower was under no illusions of the problem that the Bank may face but had a good squad to select from. Still it was a game they had to play and a game they needed to win and despite 120 minutes of football, the majority of possession during the 120 minutes, the Bank were taken to a penalty shootout by and excellent opposition, who came from 2 nil down but at the first time of asking, the Bank came through after ‘hero’ Charlie saved the sixth penalty to ensure the Bank’s progression with a 6-5 win, where they will face Wroxton in the next round.  With only Danny Hawkins and Ryan Derman away, Hightower had a lot of players to choose from and elected for Bryce to be the unlucky player this week to warm the bench and elected for Archie and Ackmal on the wings. To be fair to Southbank they started very well with a number of chances falling to just about every player on the pitch, bar the back four during the first 45 minutes. However, an inspired goalkeeper for Rifle, a credit to them kept the Bank at bay whilst the odd chance to Rifle threatened to prove that you need to score when you’re on top. However, the game remained goalless through the second half with a few chances for both teams and then the referee decided to get involved. With 10 minutes to go, Zeph, who had so far had an excellent game alongside Olly argued a freekick and found the referee in non-complementary mood and subsequently booked him. However, during this discussion Zeph seemed to say something to the referee which meant that a second yellow was shown followed by a Red and the Bank were left to fight the last 10 minutes at 0-0 with 10 men. The game ended goalless but following Zeph’s dismissal the team owed a great thanks to Charlie in goal. Charlie has had a tough 12 months since arriving in the 1st team but proved why Hightower and senior players support him as the 1st team goalkeeper with a number of excellent saves to keep the Bank in the game. At one point the two keepers were competing for the man of the match awards.  At full-time the Bank got together, had a word about the apparent injustice to Zeph and galvanised together and sure enough within 10 minutes of the restart the Bank had shot into a 2 goal lead, curiosity of Benji Williams, two excellent strikes to reward him for his hardwork. By now, Cameron had replaced Shaz and Hightower had shuffled the formation to try and maximise the team strengths. At 2 nil after 105 minutes, the Bank had the game won and perhaps the one sub change required didn’t materialise quick enough. However credit Rifle who too had a man sent off during the second half of extra time, scored twice in 5 minutes to force a penalty shoot out. Archie, Jason, Ricky, Ollie, Ackmal, Benji all scored their penalties and just when the rest got nervous Charlie proved what a good keeper he was to save the Rifle’s first sudden death penalty and ensure the Bank’s return to games was not with a loss and place in the next round of the County Cup. Go on the boys…there’s a long way to go but passion and determination saw them home today. This is indeed a special group of people who are up for the fight…let’s see where the team can go.     Team: Cook, Gull (Cameron (Price)), Bradbury, Zeph, Fletcher, McKie, Wagner, Gale, Ackmal, Hill, Williams