The battle of the two teams with 100% records in the GFSN league certainly lived up to its billing when the squads met at Preston Park on Sunday, in a fiery game watched by a crowd of … far too many to count. On a sticky pitch following heavy rain in the previous 24 hours, the Bandits took the early initiative and, following a defensive slip, were gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead as early as the fourth minute, only to balloon the ball over the bar. There was no such reprieve for the visitors though after nine minutes, when a cool lob by Simon Hawker over the stranded keeper gave the lead to the home side as they continued to dominate the first 20 minutes with the Panthers clearly rattled. Unfortunately for the Bandits, they were unable to get the second goal which their superiority at that stage warranted, and the visitors began to claw their way back into the game. A truly spectacular save from Theo Christian in goal, when a Bristol striker crisply volleyed from ten yards only to see the ball expertly tipped over the bar, appeared to have preserved the Bandits lead to half-time, with the chance to regroup. But it was not to be, as two minutes before the interval the visitors equalised with a beautifully struck free-kick from just outside the box, high into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Brighton began the second half on the attack, exposing hesitancy in the visitors defence following a half time substitution and appeared to be ready to take over the game again. However, Bristol were not going to give up without a fight, and as tempers frayed, the Bandits failed to reproduce the form of their two previous matches. A second excellent save from Theo Christian at one end and a series of missed opportunities by the Bandits at the other was the story of the next period of play. Slack defending allowed the visitor's star striker to claim his second goal in the 66th minute and in doing so, become the League's leading goal scorer. A series of long distance blockbuster strikes by Dave Hodgson of the Bandits, which whistled just wide or just over, typified the day for the home team, as they fought to get something from the game. There was a booking for the visitor’s Ricky (who has the dubious distinction of being the first player ever to receive a caution in the Bandits 11-a-side games), as well as some unsporting behaviour by players from both sides (which were both unnecessary and unsavoury) from which I hope we will all learn our lesson. Whilst Bristol took the points, Brighton can say they were unlucky not to get at least something from the game, but we aren’t at the halfway stage of the season yet, so there is still plenty to play for. The Brighton players, however, will be expected to reflect on their pre-match preparation and attitudes on the pitch, which in some cases fell way below the standard required of this club, and which will need to be addressed in future games for the well being of the Bandits both on and off the field. To have such attitudes for any game would be unacceptable, but for the biggest game of the season so far, it was beyond belief and will not be allowed to continue. You have been warned.