Bankers five games unbeaten

Sheffield Bankers provided another strong team performance to keep Silkstone United frustrated and grab a much needed win.

Team line up was as followed:

GK: Scott Dinnigan
Def: Jo Robinson, Joe Lodge (C), Joe Jerrison
Mid: Elliott Simpson, Mikey Russell, Kieran Moore, Dave Gardner
CF: Robert Jerrison, Mike Napper, James Fletcher
Subs: Matt Taylor, Richard Bartimore, Greg Ashmore, Glyn Davies (unused sub).

The first 20 minutes was a tight affair, Silkstone enjoyed a large chunk of possession but Bankers also looked comfortable. Elliott Simpson was finding a lot of space out on the right and Robert Jerrison looked dangerous when running at the defence.

Bankers took the lead after a long ball found Mike Napper, who was leading the line well. He managed to lay in Robert Jerrison; through one on one with the keeper, there was no doubt that Jerrison would miss and he coolly slotted the ball into the far corner. 1-0 to Bankers.

Silkstone applied the pressure for the remainder of the first half. A couple of corners saw Scott Dinnigan being forced to pull off a number of fine acrobatic saves in a short space of time. The large Silkstone support gasped in disbelief that their team had not scored in that time.

Silkstone did manage to get an equaliser before half time. Possession was lost on Bankers' left hand side, Silkstone's right back swung a cross in which managed to find an unmarked player at the back post and he had the easiest of headers to nod into the net. The half finished 1-1.

The second half started similar to the first, there wasn't much between the two teams; however, Bankers were starting to enjoy more possession. Mikey Russell had a chance with a volley, a number of his team-mates shouted 'time', but everybody knows Mikey does not pass up an opportunity to unleash a volley, nor do you try and stop him. Unfortunately this time around Mikey could not find the target.

Around the hour mark Bankers took the lead once again. Bankers had a corner and for some reason decided to leave almost half the team on the halfway line rather than in the opposition's box; but maybe this was the cunning plan all along?! The ball was swung in and a defensive clearance saw the ball fall to Elliott Simpson on the edge of the area. He struck the ball with venom and luckily Joe Jerrison's cat like reactions managed to help guide the wayward shot into the back of net with a lovely header.

James Fletcher was replaced by Richard Bartimore, who came on at centre mid to help guard the defence, and he did this to good effect. Silkstone began to apply the pressure as Bankers sat back slightly. A number of fine saves from Scott Dinnigan once again kept Bankers in the game. However, it was Joe Jerrison who produced the save of the match as a strike from the edge of the area flew past Scott but Jerrison flung himself on the line to block the ball with his chest.

Soon after the impressive Robert Jerrison was replaced by fan favourite Matt Taylor and Mike Napper was replaced by Greg Ashmore up front. The Bankers saw out the remaining 20 minutes as they frustrated Silkstone, who were struggling to pass it round the Bankers midfield and defence.

Bankers slowed down the play, and showed a lot of patience in their build up play and retaining the ball; something that has not been present for large parts of this season. As the referee's whistle blew for full time the Bankers had earned another important victory in the quest to turn their season around.

This was another great team performance all round. The man of the match award goes to keeper Scott Dinnigan for his heroic saves that kept Bankers in the game at important times in the match. Other special mentions go to Mike Napper who worked tirelessly leading the line, and Robert Jerrison who is looking really sharp in his play at the moment. The back three are also looking well organised and have developed a reliable and accomplished defensive unit.

Next week Bankers host South Kirkby Colliery in the league.

UTB.