Until now, Southgate W2s’ matches had all followed the pattern of the 2023/24 season with score lines that rested on only one or two goals. This time, the Mighty 2s thumped Hampstead & Westminster 3s with a decisive 4-0 victory on Paddington turf. It was another match where everyone put a shift in, motivated in part by Ronan’s surprisingly moving and philosophical team talk in the changing room beforehand. Even Ella Duthie, who looked on the verge of death’s door, pulled out all the stops to lift the team.

From the off, it was clear who the winner would be. Gabby Murray-Panayiotou gave us the lead from one short corner: the initial shot was saved by the keeper, but instead of rebounding horizontally, the ball flew up into the air. Gabby M-P had the awareness to catch it before the defenders and hit it back into the goal. The shorts were proving successful as our second goal came in the form of Jennie Stephens with a beautiful hit from the top. She rocketed the ball into the right-hand inner side of the backboard, and it pinged round and out the goal so fast that H&W briefly thought it had hit the post instead. Forward Helen Cathcart was our third goalscorer, this time by outskilling the defenders and working it around the keeper.

This was to be our last goal before halftime, doubtlessly adding insult to injury for a deflated Ham & West side. The opposition gave a somewhat lacklustre performance, but league results suggest they have had a tough time so a victory against them was to be expected. Not only did they fail to get any goals, but (bar one disallowed short corner goal) there weren’t even any shots on target. They should not be given all the credit for this, however; exceptional performances from the back, especially by Man of the Match recipient Annie Howells, denied all attempts at goal. The only balls that did threaten the Southgate circle came from a wayward football kick-about next door. The luck was not on Ella Chandler’s side either as the victim of two green cards, but yet another determined shift from the junior more than made up for her time on the bench.

We kept up the onslaught against the home team, and acquired one final goal thanks to Lucy Sheffield who, having received a pass from Jennie S, slotted it in to seal the deal. Match over, and once again Ronan let slip a smile that we’d followed his directions and succeeded. It was drinks all round at the pub after, not least of all to celebrate the 1s victory despite Caitlin Haberlin-Chamber’s contradictory fake news. Four games in, and Southgate have jumped up to an exciting joint-second in the table. The 2s are back home next week to face Wanderers who currently sit one from bottom; regardless, is it vital not to be complacent and to maintain our stride, for work is still to be done and, in this league, anything can happen.