Down to the wire – Southgate Hockey Club

March 14, 2017

for our valiant Ladies 2nd team. It looks like everything will ride on the final match against Oxford Hawks on Saturday 25th March. Another really tough loss to fourth placed Wycombe 2-1 after some good hockey played leaves the team in the bottom three but just above automatic relegation. Maybe they can pull off a shock win against Hampstead and Westminster this coming Saturday. Come on 2’s!!

The Ladies 1st Team continued their progress with a fighting 3-1 loss to Sevenoaks (currently 2nd in the league). A slightly disappointing first half was put behind them and another Caity Wales goal got them back to 2-1. This goal was from the bizarre repertoire rather than the smashed variety although Caity did manage to receive a smashed short corner straight to the shin which necessitated being piggy backed off by Captain Alex. A slightly unfortunate lapse allowed Sevenoaks to restore their two goal cushion but overall a pretty impressive performance.

The ladies 3s played some lovely hockey against Winchmore Hill and Enfield, but the hockey gods were unfortunately caught napping and the final score was 1-2. Despite impressing their cheerleaders with silky skills and lovely leads, an early goal expertly put away by Georgie S, the majority of possession, and at least five near misses, the opposition snuck in two goals during rare entrances into our D. Man of the match votes were spread throughout, but Chloe clinched it for her great runs on the break and fire with the ball.

L4s ground out a 0-0 draw in a battle of the defences away v West Hampstead 4s. Woman of the week was captain Kathy, the err, irregular GK for closing her eyes and getting in the way of the ball.

L5s were down to 12 before the whistle, due to a warm up injury to Mach, and needed bit of Dunkirk Spirit as we got stuck in knowing most of us would get no rest against mid-table West Hampstead 5s.

Our tactics to shut down their midfield were effective. At centre-mid Helena was everywhere, and SumSze mirrored this at sweeper meaning our strong core cut out anything that bubbled up before it became a real threat. Our defence held WH at bay with excellent channeling and crucial flat stick tackles. Though Izzy GSK didn’t have as much to do this week her calling out the free players who were left unmarked kept us on our toes.

We had most of the possession and tellingly, a clutch of short corners where we hadn’t been awarded one at Staines the previous week. Instead of ball watching there was anticipation, getting in front of players to pick the ball off their stick. Rather than being flat-footed we moved onto the ball. And there were good leads in the second half from Matty and Julie on the forward line. Hattie in particular was a worthy recipient of MOM for dragging her player all over the place and creating channels. There were chances to score in open play, goal-mouth scuffles and great crosses that we couldn’t quite bury. We were in it to the final whistle and pressed forward believing we could score, but the game ended 0-0.