1st XI - No report submitted

2nd XI - No report submitted

3rd XI - No report submitted

4th XI - No report submitted

5th XI - Merton 3-4 BoE (HT: 1-3)
Scorers: Daniels (2), Moss, Cripps

The 5s got their away league campaign underway in dramatic fashion at Merton's Abbey Recreation Ground. The Bank dominated the play for much of the match but left it very late to find a winning goal. The Bank started well and took the lead early doors when a low drive by Daniels from 20 yards nestled into the bottom right hand corner of the Merton net. On 20 minutes the Bank extended their advantage when Cripps worked a good position for himself down the right flank and picked Moss out at the far post totally unmarked, who really couldn't miss with his header from 3 yards out. However the home side weren't prepared to lie down and had a goal disallowed shortly afterwards when the ball and the Bank's Spanish/Welsh goalkeeper Fernandez were both bundled into the net by a Merton striker. The pitch was not in the best condition which meant that Fernandez was covered from head to toe in mud, this led Daniels to ask on the goalkeeper's behalf when it looked like a foul may not be given: "is it cos I is black?" Nevertheless Merton were not to be denied a goal for their efforts and they were rewarded shortly afterwards when the 5s Achilles heel struck again. A corner from the right was not attacked by the bank defence allowing Merton to bring the score back to 2-1. The Bank still looked the better team going forward with Cripps creating some good chances for himself but failed to finish any of them. The Bank were to restore their two goal lead shortly before half time when Daniels from a similar position to his first goal again found the bottom corner of the net from about 20 yards. Daniels was now on a hat trick and spent the rest of the game shooting any time he was within 30 yards of goal in pursuit of a third goal, but to no avail. It was looking good for the Bank at this point and they came out after half time confident of victory, but disaster struck at the start of the second half. The Merton right back caused havoc for the bank defence the entire match with some very good long throws and it was from a long throw about 5 minutes into the second half that Merton cut the Bank's lead to one for a second time in the game. The Bank still looked dangerous and were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed when Short hit the bar from about 25 yards leaving Cripps to tap home the rebound but he was adjudged to be offside from the original shot. This left the door open for Merton and they capitalised on the Bank's susceptibility of defending high balls into the box when they equalised from another corner. Three goals conceded by the Bank - two from corners, one from a long throw. The momentum seemed to be with the home side and they continued to bombard the Bank penalty area with more corners and long throws which were just about fended off by the away side's defence. The Bank gradually began to swing the game back towards the pattern of the first half and nearly retook the lead when a header from McKeown hit the bar and the rebound seemed to ricochet around the six yard box for an age before it was cleared. Finally the Bank were to be rewarded and found a deserved winner three minutes from time, Muscatelli hit a clever ball into the Merton penalty area which bypassed their entire defence leaving Cripps in the clear who lifted the ball high over the keeper and into the net. So the 5s left SW19 happy and proud of their 100% away league record.

VETS XI - No report submitted

1st XI - No report submitted

2nd XI - No report submitted

3rd XI - No report submitted

4th XI - BoE 4s 7 Old Lyonians 1
Scorers - Lewis 4, Harrington 2, Yeates Team - Coulson, Crew, De Bunsen, Berry, Pearson, Harrington, Yeates, Devile, Wood, Lewis, Turnbull. Sub - Cliffe

A revelatory performance after the stuttering display of the previous Saturday!! Switching to the daring continental 3-5-2 formation and bolstered by some experience in the form of Graham Devile, the 4s swept aside a Lyons team who were above them in the table. One up after two minutes when Lewis was put clear and were 3-0 up by half-time with further goals from Lewis and Harrington complimented by some fine keeping from Coulson. The midfield of Pearson, Harrington, Devile, Wood and Yeates were rampant against a Lyons team who struggled to cope with the unfamiliar formation and were reduced to arguing amongst themselves. Four goals were added in the second half including a notable strike from Yeates on the edge of the area and the worst cross/best goal from Harrington. The Lyons goal came at the death from a freekick when as Graham pointed out to Neil, 'if you build a wall you're not meant to hide behind it'!!! All in all though an inspiring display.

David

5th XI - No report submitted

VETS XI - No report submitted

1st XI - No report submitted

2nd XI - No report submitted

3rd XI - No report submitted

4th XI - BoE 4s (4) 6 Weirside Rangers (1) 4
Pearson 2, Lewis 2, Harrington, De Bunsen

What can I say, end to end, highs and lows, 3 and in, young boys in the park, jumpers for goalpost hmmm marvellous. Well not really. A good strong start by the Bank saw us race into an early 4-0 lead with goals from Pearson, Lewis (2) and a screamer from Harrington until Weirside pegged one back just before half-time, then on the restart we added a fifth and looked to be cruising before Weirside took advantage of some lax tackling and pressure in midfield to dominate and claw their way back into the game at 5-3. However Pearson, who had started the rout, popped up with 5 minutes to go to lob their keeper for a second time to put the game beyond doubt before Weirside added their fourth. This result leaves us 4th in the table.

David

5th XI - No report submitted

VETS XI - No report submitted

1st XI - No report submitted

2nd XI - Southbank Cuaco 1 vs BoE AFC Reserve XI 3

Team : Cheetham, Taylor (J), Kirkwood, MacNaughton, Willsher (M), Allright, Emanus, Pisano, Campello, Samuels, Churm/n, Sub : Lewis Scorers : Samuels 2, Churm 1

It was a nervy early morning start for the Reserve XI as Guru Pisano called the troops to meet a whole hour before this cup game so that we could "discuss tactics" and "warm up properly". Unfortunately the Guru was a victim of train delays so the warm up in his absence involved laughing at the Manchester derby result.

Inspired by the pre-match team talk ("we are in the last 32....a win today would take us into the last 16"...no $hit!) we kicked off on the well-groomed but small 1st XI pitch full of confidence on the back of some convincing wins and fine performances. Unfortunately the run of beautiful football came to an end but the important thing was a win advancing us into the next round.

The game started scrappily without any particularly clear-cut chances being created by either side but the following incidents happened at some point in the first half and I can't really remember the accurate chronological order so I'll just list them and you can piece together your own match...
1) Following a big hoof by the oppo's goalie, any one of the centre back, sweeper and goalie should have cleared the ball from danger but the quickest to react was the 10.3 second 100 metre centre forward who out-jumped everyone to nod the ball into the goal.
2) Not sure about the lead-up to this one but the result was Dave Samuels prodding the ball into the net from a couple of yards out after a bit of a scramble (later translated by Dave into "a well placed stroke between several players".
3) The worlds weakest free-kick from captain Pisano (later excused as he was crippled).
4) Steve "Darren Anderton" Pisano frustratingly pulling up lame to be replaced by Chris Lewis
5) Some irresponsible clown let the club down by being booked for ungentlmanly conduct...that'll be me then.
6) A You've Been Framed moment when Kevin "Glass Nose" Campello comically ran into the ref which started the weekly nose drainage rendering us a man short for the rest of the half after already using our substitute.

And the second half contained a bit of the following...
1) Kevin returned to the pitch after a comprehensive self assessment ("Has it stopped bleeding yet? Ah what the f%$k, let's have it")
2) Some pretty aggressive attacking from Southbank Cuaco didn't materialise into goals thanks to a combination of stout defending, out outstanding save and the bar.
3) We took the lead with 15 minutes remaining as Dave Samuels cleverly squeezed the ball in from an acute angle.
4) Rohan putting the game beyond doubt with a few minutes left on the clock with an impressively cool finish after getting the ball near the half-way line and being told to run to the corner!

The football might not have been as pretty as recent weeks but it was another great victory for the Reserve XI who should take confidence from battling a win away from home, something the Bank is all too often accused of failing to do. Well done chaps!

Grant Mac

3rd XI - Bank of England 3, Civil Service 1

The 3s kick started their season on saturday with a well earned 3 points against the Civil Service. The opposition made the stronger start but the Bank soon gained control once back in their orthodox 4-4-2 system and Matty Compton finished off a flowing move to open the scoring at the beginning of the second half. From then on, it was largely one way traffic with the Bank passing the ball around well, creating numerous chances to extend their lead when eventually Sammy Sweet, who had caused the opposing defence all sorts of trouble all afternoon with his pace, scored the second and then a third from the spot to effectively wrap up a good afternoon's work for the 3s. The Civil Service did get one back though and started to look lively again but were denied a second by a superb save by Norris, tipping a viscously hit ball over the bar for a corner kick.

4th XI - No report submitted

5th XI - No report submitted

VETS XI - No report submitted

1st XI - No report submitted

2nd XI - Home v JP Morgan; LFFA Challenge Cup (1st Round)

Team: Cheetham, Lewis, Willsher, Macnaughton, Taylor, Waldron, Emanus, Pisano (Churn 60), Allright, Samuels, Campello Result: 4-0 (Waldron, Campello 3)

The reserve team started the match brightly and quickly had JP Morgan under considerable pressure. On fifteen minutes they got the break through they were looking for when Allright slotted the ball through a square JP Morgan defence for Waldron to race through and score.

This early goal was followed up with some excellent passing as the reserves continued where they had left off last week. Inevitably the one goal lead soon became two as Campello powered a header past the JP Morgan keeper. The Bank's domination continued and Campello added a third goal after slotting the ball passed their keeper following a brilliant headed through ball by Samuels. Campello completed his second hat trick in two weeks ten minutes before half time after another good passing move by Bank to cap an excellent individual and team first-half performance.

The weather deteriorated in the second half and Bank's performance with it. Some sloppy passing in the first ten minutes allowed JP Morgan to see more of the ball and make life difficult for the home team. This problem was compounded when Campello had to leave the field of play with a head injury, just two minutes after captain Pisano was forced to substitute himself for Churn. The reserve team found life a lot more difficult with ten men and did particularly well to restrict JP Morgan to one or two chances throughout the second half.

The home team's defence has improved in recent weeks and this improvement continued allowing the ten men to keep a clean sheet for the second time in three weeks. In fact, as the half went on the Bank created a number of opportunities on the break from which they should have added to their tally. Overall, this was another good performance from the reserve team, who should aim to do very well in all competitions this season.

Matt Waldron

3rd XI - Norris, Powell, Holmes, Hodges, Bunn, Harrington, Larkin, Tilley, Redding, Sweet, Hyett.

The 3XI picked up a valuable first win of the season at home to Citibank in the first round of the AFA Junior Cup on Saturday. The day got of to slow start when the referee was detained, but the game Finally got underway around 2pm. The Brook pitch was wet but not overly muddy and this allowed the Bank to play some good passing football. Citibank on the otherhand plumped for flighted balls over the top of defence utilsing their powerful and pacey forwards. Both sides had early chances with Citibank having the best, hitting woodwork. However, Bank scored first with a thunderous volley from Chris Tilley. There were some tough challeges being made and with the weather the referee was finding it hard to make the correct decisions. Bank scored for the secnd time when Samuel Sweet, making a return from injury, surged down the left and crossed for Jay Larkin to head home at the far post. Citibank kept fighting with attacking football, which they capitalised on when a corner was not cleared and a low shot was struck into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box. Bank then picked up a gear and scored a third with a delightful interchange of play involving Sweet and Hyett on the edge of the box, leaving Hyett through on goal, which he coolely finished rifling the ball into the top corner.

The second half started much as the first ended with Bank slightly in favour, but the pitch was becoming more and more boggy. The Bank fourth was was again scored by Hyett, rising high into the air to head home at the near post. This goal signalled a turnaround in the match as Citibank responded strongly and scored with a glancing header which skidded on the wet surface across Norris in goal and into the corner of the net. Again Citibank piled on the pressure sensing a comeback and promptly scored again with an almost identical goal to their first. At this point Ayyaz, out of action with injury, could be seen frantically pacing up and down the touchline fearing a repeat of the previous weeks loss in ET. The last ten minutes was a frantic affair with both teams having chaces. The clearest of these falling to Redding who shot high over the bar with the ball falling back to earth sometime in the early hours of Sunday morning. Eventually Bank held n for a 4-3 victory and onto the second round. This victory can go down to the master tactics of the 3XI's captain/manager/svengali, Ayyaz Iqbellini 3rd.

Notable Performance; Hyett, great finish for the first goal, header for the second!

Powello

4th XI - Bank of England (0) 0 Old Tennysonians (2) 4

No trains, late buses, torrential downpours, dead cars, no kit. The Day didn't get off to the best start with the news that our kit was Stranded along with the keeper on the M25, needless to say the day didn't get any better. Old T's were a big physical side who were determined to stamp themselves on the game, evidenced by some crunching challenges - their early superiority paid off with a 2-0 lead at half-time. The 4s came more into in the second half and should have pulled at least one back but young Lewis was forced wide of the mark. The game was over as a contest by mid-way thru' the half when Steve Heard and ball ended up in the net after a successful Old T's assault...sorry attack for the 4th goal. The 4s played well Overall and a repeat of this kind of performance against any of the teams in the SAL would surely get a result.

Cliffey

5th XI - No report submitted

VETS XI - No report submitted

1st XI - No report submitted

2nd XI - Team : Cheetham, Wilsher, Kirkwood, MacNaughton, Taylor (J), Waldron, Pisano, Emanus, Allright, Samuels, Churn sub not used: Lewis

B of E 5 Alleyns 1

One change from last week led to a whole host of people playing different positions. MacNaughton came into central defence, pushing Mat Waldron out to right mid, Chris Emanus into the centre and Andy Allright out to the left and didn't it just all work out fine and dandy. This is the type of game you love to write about with the Bank battling very well after an ordinary first 20 minutes and creating one clear chance before the break where Samuels should have done rather better with a pin-point cross from Allright. 0-0 at half time but showing ever increasing promise against a strong Alleyns side.

The second half was marvellous. Everyone was magnificent and after Churn scored the first of his 4 goals followed closely after with a second, the result was never in doubt. Alleyns pulled one back against the play and then it was Bank pressure with some lovely passing moves. Both the 4th and 5th goals scored by Churn and Samuels were the result of some fine build up play from the 4 across the middle of the park, Waldron and Emanus in particular having fantastic individual games. The back 4 were solid with a fine debut performance from Macnaughton and even Wilsher was seen in the opposition penalty box. It was rather like fantasy football showing the depth and strength of the Bank this year with some notable and very accomplished players currently in the 3's. If this particular team can stick together then the 2's should be attacking on both the cup and the league front this year.

Andy Allright

3rd XI - Kew Association v Bank of England 3rd XI, SAL Junior Cup, Result: lost 6-4 (AET).

Team: Norris, Wood, Hodges, Holmes, Bunn, Nutman, Tilley, Larkin, Harrington, Campello, Hyett, sub Powell (on for Wood).

Following the encouraging draw last week against top of the table Nottsborough the 3rd XI were hoping to register their first competitive win of the season in the cup against lower division opposition. The game started badly for the away side as Kew took an early lead on a bright and breezy afternoon in West London. The Bank recovered from this early blow to take the lead with two goals in the space of five minutes midway through the first half. The first goal came from Campello who cut inside and shot low into the bottom corner, the second was neatly finished from a narrow angle by Hyett. Despite creating a number of chances the Bank were unable to extend their lead any further, leaving the score 2-1 in the Bank's favour at half-time

The second half began as the first had ended with the Bank team on top but unable to convert their superiority into goals. Kew still looked dangerous on the break and from set pieces. They punished the Bank's inability to make the game safe by equalising with a header at the back post from a set play. This was quickly followed another goal for Kew, scored in almost identical fashion to the previous goal. With five minutes to go Campello's lob over an advancing goalkeeper looked to be heading for goal but the ball bounced up and hit the bar not once but twice. The Bank kept the pressure on and just as all looked to be lost Campello popped up to score in the last minute of the ninety to force the tie into extra time.

Early in extra time Kew again took the lead with an almost identical lob over the goalkeeper to the Bank effort that struck the bar late in the second half of normal time, except this time the ball ended up in the net. Again the Bank fought back and kept the pressure on Kew and again they equalised through Campello, who completed his hat-trick. Kew took the lead for the fourth - and what would prove to be decisive - time in the second half of extra time as their young substitute rounded the goalkeeper despite the in-vain appeals for offside from the Bank defence. Kew then added a sixth goal late on as the Bank pushed forward in search of the equaliser but it was not to be. This was a very disappointing performance, the failure of the Bank team convert their superiority into victory has ultimately cost them the chance to progress further in the competition.

Phil Bunn

4th XI - Bank of England (4) 5 Merton (2) 2 Driver 2, Turnbull 2, Morris

After last Saturday's heroic performance against South Bank, the 4s finally got their first win under their belts. Away at Merton with a makeshift team we took the lead after 90 seconds thru' Turnbull and were two up with 15mins gone. However, some Keystone Kops defending let Merton back in to draw level at 2-2. A quick response from Morris and Driver put us comfortably ahead 4-2 at half-time..... by which stage Roger Dickson had turned up!! The second half was eventful mainly for the many spurned chances by our strikeforce and dodgy offside decisions from the ref. Kenny Turnbull finally put the game beyond doubt midway through the second half with a delightful chip (at last).

David

5th XI - No report submitted

VETS XI - No report submitted

1st XI - Oppo: Old Parmiterians

Team - Campo, Skip, Macca, Short, Wood, Taylor R, Simmons, Boothroyde, Liggins, Winfield, Crippo, Taylor M. Goals - Cripps (2), Winfield. We always knew it would be a tough game and we took it to them going one-up early on. they pegged us back further into the half with a well executed header from their skipper.

The second half was just as well competed, with the Bank taking advantage when crippo slotted home once more. The game was capped of when a fine break from and goal from the midget after a slick inter-change killed off Parms.

2nd XI - Sat 19th October 2002 2nd XI Home v Old Bealonians; AFA Cup (1st Round)

TEAM: Cheetham, J Taylor, Titch, Willsher, Waldron, Butterworth, Pisano, Allright, Emanus, Samuels, Churn, sub Lewis (on for Emanus) WON: 2-0 (HT 1-0) SCORERS: Churn (2)

Another glorious autumns day and a performance to match sent the Reserve team into the 2nd round of the Cup they won in 2000. The only thing lacking was a glut of goals that the majestic build-up play deserved. The team started with aggression, guile and pace carving out goal scoring opportunities from the very first minute. Finally after a couple of close misses, disallowed goals, fine saves and rattled woodwork Dave Samuels broke the offside trap once again before calmly side footing the ball to Rohan Churn who took his time before finishing clinically.

The Bank remained on top and continued to push forward for the decisive second goal. Neat, purposeful passing with speed broke Old Bealonians static off-side trap time after time, but none of the one-on-ones with the goalie were taken. Meanwhile the back four looked a strong and efficient unit marshalled by the frequent playmaker Titch.

However, the half-time whistle went and the score was still only 1-0. The frustration that everyone knew that the game should already be out of sight could have led to a tricky 2nd half, but the Bank continued to dominate proceedings. After Old Bealonians off-side trap was once again broken an excellent cross was powerfully headed down by Dave Samuels, only for him see a great save by the goalie low to his right. The Bank continued to press forward but were unable to kill off the game.

Old Bealonians never had one piece of sustained pressure and Cheets had very little to do, but at only one-nil up thankfully the Bank's defence continued to play well and make no mistakes. After an injury to Emanus, Chris Lewis came on and after a bit of team re-shuffling Matt Waldron moved to right midfielder. To cap an exceptionally good individual performance Matt played the key role in setting up another great chance and this time Rohan Churn coolly finished to a collective sigh of relief from the whole team.

With only ten or so minutes remaining Old Bealonians finally mounted a bit of pressure, but with a 2 goal lead the result never looked in doubt. Overall a really good performance, where the Bank dominated centre midfield, looked solid at the back, and had the likes of Jimmy Taylor, Emanus and Steve Butterworth making surging runs forward down the wings. Old Bealonians weren't the best side ever but they weren't dreadful either and the Bank tore them apart. On another day, with slightly better finishing, it could have easily been six or seven nil.

3rd XI - BANK OF ENGLAND 3RD XI VS NOTTSBOROUGH Result 1:1
TEAM; Norris, Bunn, Ishaque, Tilley, Holmes, Powell, Campello, Renshaw, Harrington, Hyett, Macnaughton, Kendall, Wood

Conditions were perfect for football on this bright autumnal Saturday morning & the team were feeling suitably motivated having spent the pre-match warm-up watching the Kingstonian University girls playing Netball. It was always going to be a tough game. Ex Nottingham & Loughborough students who are currently at the top of the table. Considering the teams past run of form, the result of a 1:1 draw, against a strong side, shows the true determination & character of all those who played, under the inspirational leadership of Ayyaz 'make mine a coke' Ishaque.The team 's strength was further bolstered by Steve Pasano's team selection for the 2nd XI, so big thanks to the yoga guru & keep up the good work.

The Bank started very positively, & it was not long into the first half before our Iberian striker broke through the defence & let rip a vicious shot that the keeper spilt & Kevin majestically stroked home. This lifted the Bank, who continued to make opportunities, and battle hard for domination in the centre of the park..

Unfortunately the opposition equalised just before the half time whistle. Having had a succession of corners that had been stoutly defended, the pressure became too much and a miscued clearance ended in the back of the net. This unfortunate error did not however deflate the Bank but only made them battle harder. The second half should have resulted in the Bank going 2-1 up, but a poor 'off side' decision meant that Hardman Hyett's well placed goal was disallowed.

The second half was fairly evenly matched with both sides making opportunities but not putting them away. The Bank were kept in the game on several occasions thanks to Mr Norris's agility and athletic prowess in goal - the netball obviously did him some good. After a fairly physical & arduous second half, both teams were relieved when the final whistle blew. The result was a true reflection of an enjoyable but knackering game of football.

4th XI - Bank (0) 3 South Bank CUACO (3) 3 (AET), lost 5-6 on penalties Driver 2 Dickson

Team: Coulson, Nassar, Lee, Berry, Cliffe, Vause, Yeates, Daniels, Pearson, Dickson, Driver. Subs - Crew, Connolly (both used)

At last the season begins. The 4s bolstered by some timely transfers from the 5s finally showed what they're capable of on Saturday against the much fancied South Bank (by themselves at least) in leafy Dulwich. 1-0 down after 5mins and 3-0 down by halftime the 4s looked dead and buried. However a tremendous second half performance which saw the Bank attack in waves, finally got its reward with 3 goals in the last 20 minutes to see us into extra time.

A tense 30mins followed in which both sides went close and then to penalties, unfortunately it wasn't to be despite Julian's exhortation to Neil to 'make himself bigger' and Daniels with our final penalty had an unlucky miss. A brilliant all round team performance by the 4s and hopefully one we can build on. Our next opponents...yes South Bank in Dulwich.

Cliffey

5th XI - No Game

VETS XI - No match report

1st XI - No match report

2nd XI - Drew 4-4 away to Alexandra Palace
TEAM: Norris, Ishaque, Tilley, Waldron, J Taylor, Winfield, Pisano, Alright, Emanus, Samuels, Churm DREW 4-4 (HT 3-3) SCORERS: Samuels (2) Churm (2)

The weather was surprisingly good for October meaning Ali Pali's pitch was better than it's usual Slovakian standard. Last minute team changes meant Ishaque was dragged to Tottenham instead of watching the 1st XI at the comfort of the sports club. The team started well and after a settling down period, Churm knocked on a long ball, which Samuels pounced on for his 6th goal of season. Instead of consolidating our lead, slack marking at a corner led to a headed Ali Pali equaliser almost straight from the restart. Like Arsenal in full flow, the Bank hit back in style when the first of a succession of great corners by Alright left the keeper stranded, and was nodded in at the far post by Samuels. Unlike Arsenal though we allowed Ali Pali to come straight back at us when their striker was left far too much space in the box, and he curled the ball into the top corner. In almost replica fashion our third goal was scored from another corner, this time bundled in by Churm, but in what was becoming a real end to end match Ali Pali pegged us back again with their third equaliser. The 2nd half started badly when a corner wasn't cleared, there was a scramble in the box and Ali Pali were awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched into the far corner. The Bank never gave up thou and we hit a deserved 4th goal when Churm controlled the ball on his chest before unleashing a rocket of a shot into the top corner. (Give that man an England cap!!) Constant Bank pressure followed but we just couldn't find a winner. Andrew "Panic" Norris

3rd XI - No Game

4th XI - Lost 5-2 away at Old Parkonians

4s 2 Old Parks 5 (Harrington, Turnbull) As ever with our visits to Fairlop a good early strong start from the Bank culminating in taking a 2 goal lead at the start of the second half, unfortunately this was the spur to Old Parks to pull the finger out and a succession of raids down either wing resulted in 5 goals in a 25 minute period and another fruitless journey on the Central Line. David Cliffe

5th XI - Lost 5-1 vs Merton

BofE 5th XI's interest in the cups came to a shuddering halt early doors on Saturday. A 5-1 home reverse against Merton, coming hot on the heels of last weeks 7-1 mauling at the hands of Parkfield ended any hopes of cup glory before they had even begun. This season will be no repeat of the legendary 2002 crusade to the quarter finals of the SAL senior novets cup. However, for the more optimistic of the brook pitch faithful, there was at least some cause for optimisim, the odd green shoot poking through the wreckage. This was in no way a 5-1 defeat (apart from in number of goals scored). For 75 minutes, House gave as good as they got, and it was only a 3 goal burst in the dying moments that gave the scoreline such a look of unrespectability. Tight lipped, flame haired novice supremo Andrew Mason, fresh into the 5th team hotseat following a coaching course in warwikshire, showed no mercy with the axe following last weeks dreadful display. Out went Vause, Ashton and goal hero Huniball, with Burton unavailable due to family commitments. This left a much changed 4-4-2 line up, with Spanish import Fernandez-Corugedo continuing in goal. Dean kept his place on the left of the back four, with Vaughan continuing on the right. It was all change at centreback, with Mason playing himself at the heart of defence, alongside novice Lee, a new arrival as part of a two man season long loan deal from Bath. The other part of the Bath twosome, Pearson, made his debut on the left wing, with ex-skipper Heard on patrol on the right. Bulky scottish playmaker McKeown was joined in the engine room by Damien. Up front, MacCoille was partnered by experienced pro Moss, making his first start of the season following fitness work in the north of England. On the bench sat Itallian schemer Muscatelli and Barnes legend Kendall. A pedestrian first half saw little to get the pulse racing on either side. However, given the recent pourus nature of the 5th team defence, this was in itself something of a result. Mason, calling the line imperiously, and Lee looked assured at the back. Damien brought some much needed steel and arial prowess to the centre of the park, and Pearson showed some nice touches and good awareness down the left. Chances for the opposition were restricted mainly to long range Howitzers and free kicks launched into the box after being awarded by the over officious man in black. House were, however,grateful to the whistler in the 34th minute, when he waved away Merton penalty claims following an ugly tangle in the box as Vaughan and Lee wrestled with a Merton Striker. The visiting frontman was clearly furious, and was lucky to remain on the pitch given his volcanic reaction. The only other real moment of danger followed a bank relapse into old habits, allowing the opposing skipper to amble unchallenged into the box from the left, from where he hit a post with teammates pleading for the pullback. While the Bank looked like a much more competitive and cohesive unit Going backwards, they still found it difficult to make chances at the other end. Moss looked busy and lively and MacCollie showed some nice touches, but a general lack of awareness, quality and single minded directness meant that there was little in the way of end product. The best chances came from a 60 yard run from Pearson on the break, his control letting him down at the final minute, and some in the box trickery from the mecurial Irishman MacCollie, whos pullback found Damien, who was just unable to get the ball away. Half time came with the score at 0-0, but the home side having had the better of the play. A first half that had 0-0 written all over it was followed by a wild West shoot out of a second half. Sadly for the moneymen, they were the ones six feet under following five of the best from a pumped up merton side. The goal rush began with the softest of soft goals. A pucillanimous poke from a merton midfielder looked meat and drink to Fernandez-Corugedo in the Bank goal, before hitting a land mine which took it up and over the prone custodian. This was dreadfully harsh on the Iberian stopper, who had performed immaculatly throughout the first half. In truely stirring stile, the Bank responded with an explosion of Workrate and quality. Damien was everywhere in centre midfield. Vaughan and Dean supported the wingers with intelligent probing up the flanks. Mckeown was up and down like an excited rabbit. The Bank's best spell of the season was rewarded in the 57th minute, when a punt upfield from the Bank keeper fed PEARSON, streaking in from the left who kept his cool to dink the ball over a floundering Merton keeper and into the onion bag, giving the Bath youngster a debut goal. The goal, if anything increased the yellow's desire, and they continued to pour forward. Heard twisted and turned in the box, and was just unable to get his shot away. Dean failed to connect properly with a Pearson cutback . Moss and Makeown both had shooting opportunities taken off them at the last minute. Kendall, on for MacCollie almost scored with his first touch, an exquisite dink that just evaded the right hand post. However, all action hustle and bustle was slowly tipping over the edge into naïve overconfidence, with disaster lurking just round the corner. The midfield four and the fullbacks were all guilty of ignoring defensive responsibility in favour of attacking glory, and the inevitable happened with a sucker punch of a goal in th 63rd. With Bank pressing hard for a winner, a quick break saw Merton 2 on 2 and they made no mistake to take the score to 2-1. This proved to be a hammer blow for the Bank, from which they never recovered. The final 15 minutes of the game will give nightmares to all those involved on the home side. Shape, commitment, and thinking all flew out of the window as basic error after basic error let Merton in for a goalfest. The final whistle came as a blessed relief, putting House out of its entirely self inflicted misery. Its hard to know what this Jeckyl and Hyde performance portends for the 5th XI season. If they play as they did for the first 3/4 of this game, then mid table mediocrity beckons. If the can apply a bit more guile in the last 3rd, then a good season is in store. However, any more of the toilet served up in the last 15 minutes, and this team will sink without trace, and probably get laughed out of the leauge. However, with the league season as yet underway, there has been no permenant damage done. It is always said that the cups are a nice distraction, but it is the league that is any teams meat and drink. It is now up to the Bank to show how hungry they are when hostilities Get underway next Saturday away, ironically, against todays opponents Merton.