Match Report by Alastair Whatley

SOUTHGATE 1 – 8 OLD GEORGIANS

Southgate’s men were on the receiving end of a technical masterclass from last years league champions Old Georgians. As a warm September day turned into a cold Autumn night in Weybridge a hardy throng of Southgate supporters to see the away side take on an OG’s side heavily reinforced with international firepower.

The EHL contenders have enhanced their already strong squad with the likes of GB’s Phil Roper, David Condon, Ian Sloan and GB skipper David Ames. Everywhere the eye looks it falls on an international star.

Coach Huw Stevens had his work cut out and brought in Hugh Page and Nat Farrant of debuts in an otherwise unchanged 16 man squad. The first quarter saw a tactic of ‘Gate utilising long aerial balls and attacking the wide channels. Yet Ashley Jackson’s side were well drilled and despite some exceptional off ball work from Southgate were able to build up some early sustained pressure. Sam Ward converted the first of his hat-trick of goals with a superb low flick beating Calum Douglas between the ‘Gate posts. This was followed by Tom Carson pushing one in through the central channel in the 14th minute. GB’s James Albert converting an exceptional team goal on the stroke of quarter time to see Southgate 3-0 down and a huge job on their hands to get back into the game.

Southgate re-focussed after the quarter break and held their own for much of the ensuing 18 minutes. Douglas pulled off a series of exceptional saves to keep the scoreline down. The forward line were kept busy off the ball with relentless pressing as OG’s manipulated their lines playing a dynamic zone in which any time a Southgate player was fed a ball he found himself encircled by a pack of 3 or 4 Old Georgians who forced mistakes. Half time saw the game held at 3-0.

The final half saw a mini masterclass in attacking hockey from the league champions, a small crowd were treated to some exceptional hockey from the likes of David Condon who polished away an upright reverse with real élan. Sam Ward executed an astonishing pass across two lines met by Alan Forsyth for a diving deflection that only just missed the top left corner by inches and drew audible gasps from all watching. Goals followed  in swift succession as Southgate tired with Sam Ward completing yet another hat-trick against Southgate in the 63rd minute.

Southgate continued to work with Jack Middleton and Mo Gandhi working a real shift in the screen and Dan West and Ali Douglas also showing some moments of quality on the ball. Yet it was Archie Foster who gave the ‘Gate support something to cheer about in the final minute as after an exceptional George Pinner save which saw a a PC rewarded Foster converted to load cheers from the sidelines.

The scoreline ended 8-1. Not an easy watch from a Southgate perspective, yet credit must be paid to the OG’s side who played a brand of hockey that was relentless, precise and dynamic. If they can continue to play with that level of quality they will be a hard act to beat and must surely be favourites not just for the league but for their EHL appearance in April.

Southgate go again on Saturday against Oxted in a huge match up between two old rivals which is always a close-run thing. Get down to Trent Park for this one a 18:00PB.