On Sunday 17 November, Southgate Hockey Club kicked off their Mixed Hockey season against Hampstead and Westminster at Trent Park. Southgate narrowly lost out on shuffles in last years National Tier 1 Cup Final and are determined to be the winning side this year. But only after having some fun in the process!
Southgate started strongly with a goal after just 37 seconds. A ball delivered across goal by Lorna Cruickshank.. from the baseline which was deflected towards goal by Charlotte Childs. As it was just about to go over the line, in came goal steeler Will Shepherdson who tapped it over the line.
Jess Denniff drag flicked a short corner from top after 12 minutes, leaving Hampstead and Westminsters line man juggling the ball with his feet before it went in the goal. 2-0 to the reds.
Hampstead and Westminster fought back, with a goal from a breakdown of a short corner. The second half remained 2-1 until late on, with a slick short corner routine from Southgate, deflected in by Char Childs to make it 3-1. Moments later a fourth goal came from a Jess Denniff tap in at the back post, making it 4-1 at the end of the first half.
The second half continued with more goals from Southgate, with the fifth coming from another slick short corner routine, slipped left for a Charlotte Childs deflection on the p spot.
At 60 minutes Caitlin shot from the top of the D which was saved by the keeper. Char Childs managed to pounce on the rebound to slot it home for the sixth.
Gaol Steeler Will Step scored the seventh when he topped the ball, creating a bouncing bomb which flummoxed the defenders and goalkeeper.
Lorna Cruickshank got in on the action with the final goal, as Harry Haynes passed it to her on the p spot where she calmly slotted it past the keeper. The game finished 8-1 to the reds.
A confident performance from Southgate who comfortably move into the second round. Their next game is away to Broxbourne on Sunday 8 December. Lets hope for more goals and more fun!