Southbank maintained their 100 percent start to the season with a mixed display against a hardworking and resolute County Arms side.

Despite losing defender Danny Fitzpatrick and himself to injury, Player/Manager Mark Holton proved that his players will be rewarded for their performances and commitment with a place in the starting XI. Holton named a largely unchanged side with Steve Brown partnering Nads upfront and Andy Hyslop coming in at left back as Paul Latch moved across to centre back alongside Simon Price. That meant that Holton was able to name a subs bench of Ricky Gale, Bryce Bellman and Steve Booth. With 6 Player of Year awards between them it goes to show how the new and improved squad has generated competition for places.

Despite controlling the opening exchanges Southbank were somewhat fortunate to take the lead. County Arms should have taken the lead when James Spokes pulled off a good save only to see it fall to the feet of a forward 3 yards out. His effort was hit tamely at the near post and Spokes managed to claim the ball whilst still on the ground from his first save. At the other end Southbank where having early trouble opening up the County rearguard. However, following good work down the right from Steve Brown the ball found its way to Nads in the box. He tried to squirm past a couple of defenders and as the ball looked to be cleared Allan managed to strike a left foot shot into the bottom left hand corner. 1-0 Southbank.

County Arms heads seemed to drop at this point and Southbank were rampant for a good 20 minute spell. With Latchy dominant at the back County found no way through and once Towner was pulling the strings in the middle Southbank were on top. The lead was doubled when Browner forced the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the season. Brown was now revelling in the lack of defensive duties (something he hasn't realised are part of playing central midifeld) and he and Nads were running the County Arms defence ragged. A third soon followed when Nads picked the ball up in the centre of the park. He ran into space in front of the County defence and as they backed off smacked a 25 yard effort fizzing in to the bottom corner.

Southbank where now well in control and should have gone on to notch a good win. However County hit back just before half time as Southbank switched off at a corner and free header saw County given a life line against the run off play.

After some encouraging words from Holton Southbank trotted out for the second half. Unfortunately Holtons demand to keep the pressure on wasn't heeded and Southbank dropped a gear from their first half display. County seemed to sense this and stepped up their own work rate and started to create a few chances. A midfield runner broke through The 'Banks exposed defence and left Spokes with no chance as he slotted in to the corner to make it 3-2. With the introduction of both Bellman and Gale Southbank were not content to sit on their lead and went in search of more goals to seal the win. With 10 minutes to go Gale found himself one-on-one with the keeper, and despite attempts to mess it up, rounded the keeper and 'stroked' the ball just over the line to cap a return to first team action.

A great result that maintained the winning sequence but a second half that failed to live up to the promise of the first. County Arms put up a great fight in the second half, and, for team that only had 9 men the week before, gave Southbank something to think about back in the pub.