Waterhall was the location for our final game of the season - not our favourite venue after last year’s turnaround against London Leftfooters. After vying for the top spot for most of the season, we went into this game needing to avoid defeat to finish in a respectable second place. We were again missing one or two key players through injury, so a squad of twelve listened to departing manager Brian Evans' final team talk. Yorkshire started the brighter, with their midfielders Darren and Rob taking control in the early stages, leading to a well taken goal. This spurred the Bandits into action and after a spell of pressure the equaliser came. Steve Taylor headed in from close range after the ball had hit the crossbar from a Jamie Harper shot, giving Captain Steve his first goal for the Bandits. Not long after, Paul Saunders scored our best goal of the season, firing in from at least thirty yards. However, two goals in the last ten minutes of the half saw Yorkshire go in at half time leading 3-2.

The second half started badly, with Yorkshire increasing their advantage early on. Now two goals behind, the Bandits found their fighting spirit and started to take control, managing to restrict Yorkshire to quick breaks rather than their sustained pressure of the first half. From a well taken Matt Heywood corner, Brighton reduced the deficit - six yards out, Steve Taylor rose to head his second goal of the game. Jamie, Matt, Daryn Vanstone and Alan Bannister, carrying an injury throughout, pushed hard but could not make the breakthrough. Defenders Ben Ede and Jason Keedy made sure any loose balls were put straight back into attack. We pushed hard, with even goalkeeper Theo Christian coming up for a corner. Three minutes from time, I picked up the ball in the centre circle and chipped a ball through to Jason Hall who was on the last defender at the edge of the penalty area. Along with the Yorkshire goalkeeper, the three players managed to get tangled and miss the ball completely, giving me my first outfield goal and the strangest I will ever score. 4-4 it finished, a fantastic effort from everyone including Lee Towsey who played a great first half.

My man of the match was Steve Taylor - two great goals and his usual majestic performance at the back. Overall a good second 11-a-side season for the Bandits. Many thanks from all of us to Brian for all his hard work over the last few years and the very best of luck to his successor. Also, congratulations to Aidie Norman for finishing top goalscorer in his first year as a Bandit. Here's to next season!!!