Godden earns draw as Sheffield Bankers hit back

Bankers led 2-0 until just before half-time, when a Bowden goal prompted a second-half fightback.

But the Bankers forced home a late equaliser to save a point from an entertaining contest.

The hosts took an early lead, with leading scorer Drew Burkin producing an opportunistic reverse-stick strike on the nine-minute mark.

And Bankers soon made it two, with Nick Fletcher intercepting a Bowden pass, rounding the onrushing ‘keeper and slotting home.

This appeared to jolt Bowden into action, and after considerable pressure they got back into the game on the stroke of half-time, converting one of numerous penalty corners.

And they kick-started the second period in a similar manner, pulling level with a strike from a tight angle which surprised Bankers keeper Simon Hibbert.

Fifteen minutes later, Bowden’s sustained pressure was rewarded with a goal which saw them lead for the first time and complete a shock turnaround.

But that wasn’t the end of the action, as Bankers’ skipper Matt Godden hauled his side back into the contest.

Ably assisted by Toby Howard, Godden, who recently spoke of his desire to achieve promotion this season, grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and deservedly netted the equaliser.

The intensity then seemed to ebb out of the game, with both sides perhaps pleased to hold on to what they had, and there were no other real chances.

Banker second XI travelled to Chapeltown for what is traditionally a fiercely-contested derby.

After some good recent form, skipper Jimmy Osborne was confident that five years of poor results could be avenged here and that proved to be the case.

Chris Downham, Osborne and James Cozens were on target as the Bankers recorded a famous, and hugely significant, result.

Cozens starred on the day, though the management were quick to praise the performance of all the players.

Manager Simon Statham said: “This was a super team effort. “Furthermore, it lifts us up the table and closer to a promotion place”.

Bankers are fourth, just four points behind leaders Stockton.

Banlers ladies’ first XI claimed another victory and the second string picking up the points via a concession.