Southbank's tricky start to the season continued with a home games against highly fancied Celtic Rangers who'd been promoted two years on the bounce from Divisions 4 and 3 East.

 

Having started the season without dropping a point this was another stern test for Budda's side.  A fine team performance saw the Ressies come out on top and announce themselves as true promotion contenders.

 

3 goals came in a 15 minute spell just before half time to settle this well balanced encounter, with the the opening goal coming when new Southbank Res skipper Luke Howroyd pulled off a good save, diving low to nick the ball off Rangers danger man Matty Brown, and released Mark Maskell who in turn played a delightful ball down the right for man of the match Shane Clark to whip in an inch perfect cross for left winger Jason Cusworth to finish for his second goal in as many games. 

Not long after a goalmouth scramble saw Brown stab home an equaliser whilst lying in a heap on the floor with Howroyd.

Jamie Foncette, who’d given the Rangers back four a hard time all game, then won a free kick on the edge of the box.  Lee Thacker stepped up and arrowed in a low drive to put The Bank back in front just minutes before half time.

The second half saw Rangers put The Bank under more pressure and the energetic Clark had to clear off the line, again from Brown, who was well marshalled by the Southbank centre back pairing of Dan Wakelam and Steve Mahoney.  Both sides created a number of half chances during an action packed second half, with Thacker having a goal disallowed and Foncette unlucky not to get the goal his work rate deserved with a chance late on.

Budda's Man of the Match: Shane Clark