With Southbank's season stuttering of late this top of the table clash with Southcote Video Res took on increasing significance.  With AFC Victory on course for the title it seems to be between these two for the second promotion spot and therefore it was no surprise that Browner was late again!!  His actions must raise question marks over his big game mentality as he pulled the same stunt in the AFC Victory game earlier in the year and seems to have lost his bottle!  Browners late arrival and a reoccurrence of Player/Manager Holton's back injury reduced the selection options before kick off but there was still a quiet determination amongst the squad as the two teams lined up.  Video tried to gain the psychological upper hand as they made a big noise before kick off....but as Video found out, The 'Bank are not easily deterred.

 

Southbank looked solid from the outset and at last seemed to have put their recent poor form behind them.  The first few tackles settled the team down and The 'Bank got firmly into their stride as the game started off at a frantic pace.  It soon became clear that this would be a game of few chances as both teams got stuck in and looked up for a battle.

 

After tight opening twenty minutes first blood went to Southbank.  Steve Woodrow got himself back on the goal trail when he beat the Video off side trap to collect the ball six yards out and slot past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.  Despite having the wind in their favour Video rarely troubled the well marshalled Southbank back four with the returning Hightower and Danny Fitzpatrick back to their dominant best, and behind them Luke Howroyd was looking assured between the sticks.  Protecting the back four was a hard working midfield who provided a good shield for the defence throughout....apart from when Towner tried to grab Hightower round the neck after being told to go and win the ball!

 

With the game finely balanced, Woodrow gave The 'Bank some breathing room and settled the nerves, as he claimed his second after a mistake by the Video keeper.  With a long ball hanging in the wind he chose to head the ball out despite standing inside his box!  The ball fell to the feet of the waiting Woodrow who planted the ball in the back of the net from 25 yards.

 

So 2-0 at half time and the difficult task of defending against the wind out the way, the message Holton delivered to his side was to keep it tight, work hard for each other and keep battling like the first 45 minutes. 

 

Video started the second half brightly and now looked more intent on playing football.  It was a long ball over top though that saw Hightower in a race with the Video's forward Dominic Allen.  Luke came out to claim the ball but the wind held it up and Allen got there first and nodded the ball past the stranded keeper.  Thankfully for Southbank both Hightower and Hyslop had covered and Hyslop cleared to safety.  However, the resulting corner saw Luke get caught by the ball hanging in the wind again and this time Southbank couldn't keep the ball out of the back of the net and Video had got their way back in to the game.

 

The next 30 minutes saw Southbank get deeper and deeper as they again soaked up the oppositions pressure without ever really looking like conceding.  This has been a trademark of this seasons displays as Southbank looked an organised and composed defensive unit.  At the other end Ricky Gale almost scored with a well taken free kick that the keeper palmed round the post at full stretch.

 

With time running out Towner got clattered by the Video left back (with great added sound effects) but the ball broke loose to Ben Thurgood who played a great early ball to Woodrow.  With Video throwing everything forward in search of the equaliser Woodrow found himself totally unmarked 35 yards from goal and bore down on the keeper before unleashing an unstoppable drive to complete his hatrick and seal the all the important win for Southbank.

 

In the dying moments a ball was chipped into the box by video and Hightower somehow managed to get a hand in the way of it to concede a penalty and bring about the final twist in an entertaining encounter.  Despite the impressive Ben Marshall hitting a good penalty in to the bottom corner Luke pulled out a great save to maintain the two goal lead with practically the touch of the game - with goal difference possibly playing a part in the final shakedown this could prove a vital save!