A spirited performance from a depleted Bandits side could not avoid defeat to the fast, fit Nottingham Ballbois, enjoying their first season in the Gay Football Supporters’ Network (GFSN) Gay National League.

A 12-man squad travelled to Victoria Embankment, Nottingham, with captain Mark Hyndman in goal, an experienced defence of Ben Ede, Jason Hall, player-manager Matt Haywood and Steve Taylor, and young Karl Leonard starting up front with Aidie Norman. The Bandits’ midfield were given a tough time by the tough-tackling Ballbois, although for much of the first half Simon Hawker and Alan Bannister gave as good as they got. The Bandits relieved early pressure from the confident Ballbois when winger Gareth Buckell chipped a pass through to Norman, who forced a corner.

Despite intelligent interplay between Karl and left winger Jamie Harper, the Ballbois’ fitness began to show during the first half – after 25 minutes, they surged through the Bandits’ midfield and won a corner, which led to their first goal as the Bandits failed to clear the cross, ably converted by the Ballbois’ centre-forward. Paul Windsor, another veteran of the Bandits’ 2005-2006 championship season, replaced Gareth, but fifteen minutes later the Bandits conceded again when a sublime pass split their defence, going into half-time 2-0 down.

The Bandits reorganised at half-time, but two minutes into the second half the Ballbois scored again, this time with an unstoppable 25-yard screamer. The Bandits battled to get back into the game: Jamie won some key tackles and played some incisive passes; Gareth, back on the pitch, beat several defenders and fed in Aidie, who worked hard alone up front as Karl supported the midfield. The Bandits tightened up and kept the score to 3-0, and were unlucky not to take something from the game: Aidie went close with a free-kick, and Matt, moving forward, made some bold runs down the left.

The Ballbois’ excellent hospitality deserves a mention: after the match, both sides drank together in Nottingham, sharing a free buffet provided by the Ballbois’ sponsors – a shining example of the camaraderie between the GFSN’s teams and players.

So – another tough game for the Bandits, still seeking their first victory of the 2007-2008 season. Man of the Match: Steve Taylor. For excellent martialling of the Bandit's defence.