Southbank threw away their 100 percent league record as they stumbled to a dramatic 5-5 draw with Division 1 West strugglers Calcot CA.

A depleted Southbank were missing no less than 6 first team players for this encounter and called up Neil Hankinson from the reserves to bolster the centre of defence.  Hanky lined up alongside Latchy with Thurgood and Budda completing the back four.  With the side reshuffled, Broomie moved over to the right of midfield with Bryce Bellman coming in to his favoured left wing position.  Despite the changes and unavailable players Southbank were still confident of getting a result - perhaps that was the problem.

Unfortunately the pre-match confidence didn't surface on the pitch as The 'Bank struggled to get the basics right.  With no sign of a decent first touch on the pitch the passing and movement deserted the hoops as a scrappy affair unfolded.  Calcot seemed content to make late tackles in midfield and relied heavily on the long ball over the top of the disorgnised Southbank back four.  This tactic led to a couple of good early chances for Calcots pacey centre forward.  Thankfully a combination of Spokes rushing off his line and some poor finishing from Calcot meant that the early pressure didn't tell.  As Southbank came more in to the game Woodrow and Gale started to cause problems for the Calcot defence, despite some generous offside decisions, and Southbank had a couple of half chances.  The 'Bank were then denied a penalty when Gale was fouled going round the keeper as the referee played advantage.  When Gales shot was blocked the ball fell to Woodrow and the ref still played on, only to see Southbank denied again.  At the other end another long ball over the top released Calcots forward once more.  Latchy made a desperate attempt to win the ball but the ref adjudge his lunge from behind was nowhere near the ball and he had no hesitation to award a penalty this time.  Spokes was beaten from the spot and Southbank were shocked to find themselves 1-0 down. 

The equaliser came shortly afterwards when Paul Towner did well to get on the end of a Gale long throw and sneak a shot in from a very tight angle at the far post.  Gale then put The 'Bank in the lead with a tidy lob over the keeper after he was put through by Brown (he was the smallest keeper in Reading mind you).  This allowed Southbank to finally take hold of the game and they should have gone on from here to stretch their lead before half time.  Gale volleyed wide from 6 yards in a goal mouth scramble and again a spell of sustained pressure didn't return the goals it deserved. As the half came to a close Calcot nicked an equaliser.  The ball was struck from 25 yards after Southbank came out too slowly from defending a set piece.  All looked under control as the weak shot gently headed towards Spokes' arms.  A strange bounce and a lack of concentration later and the ball went through Spokes' hands and into the back of the net for an undeserved equaliser.  A further blow came as with a minute to go Latchy injured his ankle in a crunching tackle that proved to be his last contribution to the game.

With Latchy having to come of through injury Bryce Bellman dropped back to partner Hanky at centre half with Woodrow moving to left wing and Player/Manager Holton coming on upfront.  Southbank tried in vain to play some better football in the second half but the disruption to the side and the inability to pass and control the ball were making it extremely difficult.  However, Southbanks efforts were rewarded when Ricky Gale was sent through by Woodrow.  After beating off one challenge he was left in a one-on-one with the keeper.  The keeper tried to get their first but ran into the on rushing Gale and hit the deck.  Gale kept his balance and his cool to hold off another heavy challenge and finish to give The 'Bank the lead once again.  At this point the Calcot keeper lost his head, and nearly his shirt, as he threw it to the ground and threatened to walk off! Again Southbank should have gone on to increase their lead but more dodgy offsides, and a couple of missed opportunities to find the killer ball or get a shot in, prevented more Southbank goals.  At the other end Southbank suddenly lost the ability to defend a ball into the box and Calcot equalised when a corner dropped in the six yard box and was slammed home - 3-3.

This then set the tone for the remainder of the game.  Southbank had the better possession but still couldn't defend when the ball was launched into the box.  At the other end Brown scored with a well taken penalty after Steve Woodrow was bought down.  AGAIN Calcot pulled one back when a corner wasn't cleared and the same Calcot forward picked up the lose ball to find the net for a second time.  Southbank went down the other end and Holton made it 5-4 when Gale put him through one-on-one with the keeper. As Southbank looked to shut up shop and hold on to a scrappy three points a high ball to the back post saw Calcots forward claim his hatrick despite strong claim for a foul on Spokes, who was take out with a collection of studs in the chest!  Controversy also reared its head at the other end.  After Holton had squared the ball to Broomfield he hit a wayward cross-cum-shot but was then taken out very late by a Calcot defender.  The ref booked the Calcot player for the foul but somehow awarded a goal kick instead of a penalty!  He later claimed the ball was out of play and so he couldn't award a penalty......

So 5-5 against a battling Calcot side who had previously picked up only 2 points.  This is the kind of performance that could become very costly towards the end of the season as the top four in 1 West pull away from the pack.  Hopefully this result, and performance, will drive The 'Bank on to better things as its consigned to the "one off" bin never to be seen again!