Brighton Bandits made a flying start to the 2005-06 GFSN National League season with a win over the 2003-04 Champions, Yorkshire Terriers. The game was played at an autumnal Preston Park, with the Bandits taking to the pitch in their new blue and black home strip. The match was very much a game of two halves. The Terriers started the brightest, with most of the action in the first 20 minutes taking place in and around the Bandits’ penalty area. Some excellent work by the Brighton central defense, however, kept Yorkshire at bay. The Bandits had a more positive spell in the middle of the half but spent much of the time absorbing Yorkshire pressure rather than creating many goal scoring opportunities. A dour first half ended 0-0.

The second period started more positively for the Bandits, following an inspired decision to switch the formation from 4-5-1 to a more attacking 4-3-3. The change paid off almost immediately. With the half only 3 minutes old, Alan Bannister received the ball inside the centre circle, ran forward ten yards, spotted the Terriers’ keeper off his line and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 40 yards out which flew into the top of the net - 1-0 to Brighton. The goal gave the Bandits renewed confidence and they pressed forward in search of a decisive second to kill off the game. However, the Terriers held firm and much of the remainder of the half was like the first, with few chances on goal. During the last 30 minutes Brighton were forced to make some personnel changes due to injuries to Jason Keedy, Matt Haywood and Simon Hawker, and Yorkshire saw their opportunity to level the score whilst the Bandits were reorganizing. The Brighton defense was tested again but held firm. With 15 minutes to go, a through-ball allowed Jamie Harper to make a mazy run into the Yorkshire penalty area where he was clumsily upended. Paul Smith stepped up to fire the resulting penalty home into the top right hand corner of the Yorkshire net, giving the Terriers’ keeper no chance. With a two-goal cushion the Bandits were able to relax, play some excellent passing football, and ran out comfortable winners.

Overall, a good result for an opening game and a good omen for the season. Choosing a man of the match is very difficult as there were some excellent performances all over the pitch. Simon Hawker, Jamie Harper and Garry Rickett did some superb work up front, Matt Haywood, Daryn Vanstone, Jason Keedy, Jason Hall and Chuck Watson put in gritty performances when needed in the middle of the park, Paul Smith, Steve Taylor, Paul Saunders, Ben Ede and Paul Windsor performed well in defense and on-loan keeper Gerry Taylor bossed his penalty area effectively. However, for his tireless running, excellent passing and early pitch for goal of the season, my Man of the Match has to go to Alan Bannister.