If the mark of a good team is to win when you
play badly, then this performance makes Southbank
great! Although the conditions weren't
conducive to good football, Southbank took
things a little too far and put in one of their
most lacklustre performances of the season but
still managed to nick all three points thanks to
two goals from Steve Woodrow set pieces.
Despite the fixture being arranged at the last
minute Player/Manager Mark Holton was lucky
enough to have an almost full squad to choose
from - although Hightower, Ben Duncan and Brown
were all unavailable while Ricky Gale was out
with an injury suffered at training. Paul Latch
returned to centre back to replace Hightower
while Bryce Bellman made his first start for
some time on the left whilst Browns place on the
bench was kept warm by Allan Kemp, the returning
Rich Smalley and Southbank debutante Raph Allen.
On a thawing and very heavy pitch the game set
off with Burghfield taking the initiative,
Southbank had the distinct look of a side who
thought they just had to turn up to win against
a Burghfield team with only point to their
name. Burghfield's play belied their lowly
position as their midfield dominated the early
exchanges. Bryce was still trying to find his
touch....he seemed to be looking up and down the
white line for it for some reason.....while
Broomie and Towner's passing game was being
effected by the quagmire in the centre of the
pitch. As Southbank came more in to the game
the chances started to come. Steve Woodrow
failed with convert a couple of decent chances
before picking out Holton at the near post with
an inch perfect cross between two defenders.
Holton, forever sniffing out a nice tap in, was
on hand to side foot home from the edge of the
six yard box for a text book goal. The ref had
other ideas however and disallowed the goal for
high feet - a dubious decision considering the
lack of defenders close by. Signs
of things to come where also apparent as
Southbank looked dangerous from Woodrow's
corners, the pick of the bunch seeing Danny fail
to tap in from a yard out!
At the other end the walking wounded in the
Southbank back four were pretty much in control
with Danny and Hyslop covering well for the
hobbling Latchy and Budda. Eventually though
Burghfield had their only clear-cut chance of
the first half when a mix up between Danny,
Thurgood and Allan (on for the injured Bryce)
saw the Burghfield forward clean through with
only Luke to beat. The ball sat up perfectly
for him and Luke stood no chance as the ball
flew past him and in to the net for a 1-0 half
time lead.
During the interval Holton switched things
around, moving Broomie on to the left wing - it
was far too muddy for him in the centre - and
switching Allan in to the middle alongside
Towner. The switch worked well as Broomie
tricked his way down the left for the second
half and caused Burghfield no end of problems
while Allan typically got stuck in with Towner
in the middle. This made the second half was
more comfortable for Southbank and they slowly
got themselves back in to the game. The
equaliser finally came when another well
delivered set piece from Woodrow was stuck away
by Allan at the far post with an unconventional
and "acrobatic" volley.
A second followed when Holton was again in the
right place at the right time to fire home in a
crowded box after another well delivered set
piece had been pushed away by the Burghfield
keeper. The lead could then have been extended
further as Allan hit the post with a 25 yard
screamer. Southbank then started to wobble as
Burghfield regained their confidence after
losing the lead. Latchy was replace by Rich
Smalley and Budda by Raph for his first
appearance in the hoops as the 'Bank
determinedly hung on for 3 points.
The win keeps Southbank on top of the league
going in to the top of the table clash with
Video Res but a much better performance will be
needed if The 'Bank are going to keep their spot
on top of the tree!