Southbank were forced into a couple of changes with Paul Towner and Danny Fitzpatrick missing from the last impressive performance against Reading Buses.  Tim Edwards and Steve Fullbrook were their replacements with Charlie Cook forcing his way into the starting line up at the expense of Graeme Storey.

Southbank started the game disastrously with the new look back four struggling to come to terms with some lively attacking play by Kennet Valley.  After a couple of early scares Valley took the lead when Fullbrook showed their forwards how to finish – unfortunately at the wrong end!  This set the trend for the next 10 minutes as time and time again Valley broke clear of the wobbling Southbank defence.  After 15 minutes the score was 4 – 0 to Kennet Valley and it could easily have been more had it not been for poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Ian Harvey.

But amazingly heads didn’t drop and Southbank began to battle back.  Steve Woodrow cut the deficit when he robbed a defender before racing clear and coolly rounding the keeper on 20 minutes.  Five minutes later the lead was down to two following a long throw from Ben Neo that caused sufficient confusion in the Valley six yard box for them to score an own goal.  This remained the score at half time after Southbank missed further chances to reduce the deficit, the main culprit being Malcolm Everest.

Two half time substitutions and a reshuffle of midfield and defence saw Southbank come flying out of the blocks in the second half.  Karl Lobato and Andy Persaud began to boss the midfield and centre backs Tappern and Hankinson tightened things up.  Impressive substitute Graeme Storey cut the lead to one goal when he bundled home, after Steve Woodrow’s free kick was parried by their dodgy keeper.  10 minutes later the scores were level as Woodrow smashed home his second of the game from 12 yards.  Game on!

Southbank were now dominating and should have taken the lead but it was actually Kennet Valley who got their noses back in front.  A rare mistake from Mike Tappern gave away a free kick on the right.  The kick was floated in for the smallest player on the pitch to head home from 4 yards.  The marking was appalling but Harvey will be disappointed that he didn’t come to claim the ball.

Again Southbank fought back and Woodrow completed his hatrick to take the game to extra time after being put through by his ineffective strike partner Everest.

Kennet Valley had the better of the early exchanges in extra time only for Southbank to score on the break.  Steve Woodrow latched on to a through ball from Everest and slotted home.  Minutes later it was 7 – 5 as Everest finally finished a chance following more excellent work from Woodrow.

Kennet Valley cut the lead to one goal with five minutes remaining but Southbank hung on to secure a quarter final showdown with old rivals Earley Gunners.

After a disastrous first fifteen minutes Southbank showed bags of character to come back and win with Woodrow and Lobato the stars.

Team: Harvey, Neo, Fullbrook (Storey), Guppy (Tappern), Edwards, Cook (Pugh), Lobato, Hankinson, Persuad, Woodrow, Everest