Southwell shows class

A busy Waterhall saw Rich Lamprell take over pitch duties from Pete Ridley and in combination with Kev Virgo they went about the task if getting the dimensions and pitch markings in harmony for what looked a close encounter on paper.

The parking problems at Waterhall meant Southwell as usual was late and the Sandwich Man usually so reliable couldn't make it due to a puncture en route. Remarkably F&O were able to get in a replacement within fifteen minutes of the news of Chaz's no show in Sam Lawrence who hasn't played for some time due to working in London now.

It meant Southwell & Brenchley swapped teams and Brenchley's bibs made a very competent start. Green & Virgo were dominant at the back and in Bald & Brenchley they had a front two posing constant questions of the rarely paired Mitchell & Wilson.

Bald to Brench who turned and fired past White for 1-0.

Lawrence was impressing in goal and when he volleyed first time he beat White who's comical keeping meant his starting position was nearer Braepool than Waterhall.

2-0 and it was all bibs as they dominated the first twenty.

A combination of bibs dropping their standard and Southwell getting more involved saw them draw back level quickly before half time. Southwell's excellent close control and finish made it 2-1 and then White with a clearance from his own half beat Lawrence who was caught in no mans land.

Southwell could have scored a great team goal after being put in by Bahrami but his shot was saved.

Half time 2-2 and Skins would have been pleased with how they came back in the second half of that half.

Soon after the restart Brenchley finished well despite a big hand by Southwell and the bibs lead was back for 3-2.

Whitey had a golden chance to equalise after (Bald) had made a meal of the first shot but he miraculously saved the rebound from a yard at the expense of a corner.

Skins didn't have long to wait for an equaliser as bibs failed to clear on a number of occasions, most notably Lamprell who tried to dribble out from the back but lost the ball and Whitey was on hand to tap home from a yard for 3-3.

Skins were now well on top and they looked far more threatening at this stage of the game.

Eason made a hash of a back pass clearing it straight to Southwell centre pitch and the in form striker finished beautifully for 4-3. It was at this point that Eason was laid out with a back injury which meant he had to stay in goal for the last change leaving Brench to play out the full 80 minutes.

Bibs had a golden chance to level. Lamprell done well to beat Mitchell and with a 2 on 1 bibs should have made sure but a combination of Bahrami & Wilson denied Lamprell's first effort then that of Green's as bibs piled forward.

Bibs were made to pay as with six minutes to go Southwell completed his hatrick with a simple side foot finish past the injured Eason for 5-3.

Brenchley made one final surge into the Skins box and squared for (bald) and not for the first time, the sizeable frame of Bahrami was there to divert the ball away.

MOTM Carl Southwell - His threatened this for a while as his fitness and form have improved and tonight he was somewhere close to his best with 3 clinical finishes and some sublime touches. Some other strong performances from bibs whilst for Skins only Brenchley and Lawrence played anywhere near their top form.