Southbank were rocked by the late withdrawal of centre back Simon "Hightower" Price on the eve of this tough encounter with the rejuvenated Theale.  This left Player/Manager Mark Holton with a huge whole to fill in the back four and he knew his side would be in for a testing time against the leagues top scorer and Theale's star man, Dula Khalid.  Khalid went on to torture Southbank's rearguard and hammered home 4 of his teams 6 goals in a convincing win.

 

Right from the kick-off Southbank found them selves on the back foot.  Theale were certainly the more fired up and the more confident team as they tore in to The 'Bank from the kick off.  The pattern of the game was set in the opening exchanges and Southbank uncharacteristically could not get back into the game against Theale's energy and determination.  It was surprising then when Holton managed to sneak the opening goal against the run of play.  A series of corners resulted in Holton flicking the ball past the Theale keeper at the near post to set up what he hoped would be a birthday celebration.

 

Unfortunately for Holton and The 'Bank his celebrations were cut short when Kahlid broke free to side foot past Luke Howroyd in the Southbank goal for a deserved equaliser.  The Khalid show continued as an acrobatic attempt narrowly missed the target.  The scoreline soon reflected Theale's dominance when Khalid got his second after finding space in the box.  At 2-1 and getting close to half time Southbank could have regrouped and got back in the game but Theale managed to nick a third on the stroke of half time.  A corner was delivered from the right and a goal mouth scramble ensued.  Theale's first attempt hit the underside of the bar and bounced down on the line but then up popped Khalid to score with another acrobatic volley.  3-1 and Southbank were looking well beaten.

 

Holton pulled himself off and introduced Steve Brown into the midfield at half time.  This helped for a while but the Southbank heads were already down before Theale extended their lead even further.  Their 4^th, 5^th anf 6^th goals came in quick succession mid way through the half before the game petered out at 6-1.

 

On the plus side Southbank did create some early chances in the first half but for some reason they allowed Theale too much time and space all over the park and got taught a lesson in hard work and finishing.  The second half was a slight improvement and again the chances were there to get back in the game.  Frustratingly it was not Southbanks day as things went against them all over the pitch, but in all honesty Southbank just didn't turn up for this one.  In a disappointing performance the only player to come out with any real credit was left back Paul Latch who looks to be regaining his early season form following a long lay off with an ankle injury.