What a game! The Bandits’ victory over Birmingham had just about everything: seven goals, two penalties, refereeing controversies and numerous substitutions – the Bandits’ in particular being inspired.

The Bandits moved Ben Ede to right-wing, starting with Paul Windsor at right-back, and Matt Haywood partnering Alan Bannister up front. Aidie Norman joined Steve Taylor in defence, Jason Hall and Paul Saunders on the left, and John Bryan in midfield with Simon Hawker. The Bandits had the best of the early exchanges, Alan in particular causing the Blaze defence problems, and the home side took the lead when the referee awarded them a hotly contested penalty right on the edge of the Blaze penalty area. Up stepped Aidie to blast the Bandits into a 1-0 lead. Almost immediately, though, the Blaze drew level, catching the Bandits on the break and firing past goalkeeper Mark Hyndman – carrying an injury after a save in the opening minutes.

Going into half-time at 1-1, Matt put Aidie in goal, with Paul Smith playing centre-back. He took himself off for Gareth Buckell, and Bryony Masters replaced Ben. Pushing forward, the Bandits won a corner: John’s delivery was perfect, and all Gareth had to do was stand still to put the Bandits 2-1 up – the ball smashing in off his face! The goal – and the celebrations – were too much, and he went off feeling ill two minutes later!

Soon, the Bandits were 3-1 up, John breaking through and scoring the goal of the game with a brilliant shot from wide left. But the Blaze, who’d brought seven subs, regrouped and their number ten drew a foul from Jason – the referee had to award another penalty, and the Blaze converted. Worse was to follow: Aidie couldn’t hold a powerful shot from distance and suddenly it was 3-3. After the 5-2 defeat in Birmingham last season, the Bandits were determined to win. Steve thought he had sealed three points for the Bandits when he stepped forward for another John corner, blasting home to make it 4-3 with a few minutes left.

The spectators thought the drama would end there, but they were wrong. In injury time, as the Bandits tried to kill the game, the Blaze broke down the wing, and their cross was powered into the net. The massive Blaze entourage stormed the pitch, and it seemed an age before they realised the goal had been disallowed for offside well before the shot had been struck. Shaken but not stirred, the Bandits held on for a thrilling victory – well deserved after some recent spirited defeat.