A lackluster display from Southbank saw them suffer their first defeat of the season at the hands of an ordinary looking Thames Valley Tornadoes side in the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup.

Southbank went in to the game missing several key players with both centre backs, Danny Fitzpatrick and Simon Price, and midfield general Paul Towner all unavailable. To add to Player/Manager Holtons woes both Ricky Gale and Bryce Bellman let the side down down as they failed to arrive on time and further restricted Holtons options to plug the existing the gaps. As if this wasn't bad enough the rest of the squad seemed to be doing their best impression of not being there as well. Whilst TVT were already out on the pitch warming up Southbank slowly arrived and converged in the away team dressing room. They finally emerged 5 minutes before kick off not looking very interested in the game ahead.

With no real warm up and a distinct lack of urgency Southbank were on to a hiding to nothing. TVT kicked off, and although Southbank won possession, they soon gave it straight back to TVT again. Steve Brown, returning to his favoured central midfield spot, got caught in possession 25 yards out facing his own goal. The unexpected attack caught The 'Banks defence off guard and TVT waltzed though and opened the scoring before even a minute had been played. An appaling start!

Things went from bad to worse as Southbank again surrended possesion in their own half. A ball into the box wasn't dealt with and TVT had a simple tap in to go 2-0 up within 5 minutes. Southbank had paid the price for their lethargic start to the day and had inexplicably gifted TVT a two goal lead. Despite this start Southbank finally got their act together and managed to exert a spell of pressure on the TVT goal. However, the 2 goal lead soon became 3 when a free kick was harshly awarded on the edge of the Southbank area. A well placed free kick aimed at the bottom corner looked under control as Southbank keeper Spokes calmly watched the ball past the post. Unfotunately it went past the wrong side of the post and the ball nestled in the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.

The rest of the half saw some encouraging play from Southbank. Despite being 3-0 down, courtesy of 3 gifted goals, Southbank were gave as good as they got. Steve Brown and Nader Gehawi both carved out a couple of openings through good individual play, and Mark Holton had two half chances but was undone on both occassions by the ball running away from him on the hard pitch. This seemed to be the story of the half. Southbank's over complicated passing was causing their own downfall. The ball was given away all too frequently and no real pattern could be established. As frustration set in The 'Bank reverted to shooting from long range and more and more they failed to get the ball down and out to either wingers.

In attempt to be more creative Holton replaced Andy Hyslop with Bryce Bellman at half time. This worked in stretching the TVT defence and they became more and more reliant on the long ball. Despite missing both Hightower and Danny the Southbank back four coped well against the arial threat of TVT's front 3, with Ben Duncan giving another assured display at right back. Southbank now had the upper hand and the introduction of Ricky Gale for Holton gave the TVT defence a new problem. With Gale, Bellman and Nads now pushing on Southbank looked more fluid in attack and a run down the left from Bellman resulted in Gale scoring with a deft touch at the near post to give a glimmer of hope Holtons side.

Just as Southbank thought they might be in with a chance of going to extra time TVT nicked a crucial fourth goal. A series of corners saw an unmarked TVT player power a header into the top corner to restore TVT's three goal advantage and end all hopes of a dramatic comeback.

As a deflated and frustrated Southbank continued to attack TVT claimed a 5th on the break and completed a sorry day for Southbank.

Southbank Manager Mark Holton was understandably unimpressed with his sides performance and criticised their attitude and commitment before the game. "The game was won and lost in the opening 5 minutes. At 10.25 the opposition where out warming up and we were still getting changed. It cost us dear." In response Holton has demanded his players turn up on time and prepare properly for the return to league action this week. After 3 wins from 3 in the league it will be a stern test of character to see how this new Southbank side bounce back.