5-5 draw

Report by Jez Lavy

Another bright, blue Saturday brought the crowds out at SHC.  The tables were packed with happy people watching a great afternoon’s hockey while enjoying their post lockdown pints.  The best match was not taking place on the adjacent water pitch but rather on the sand.  Two well matched teams from SHC and OLHC thrashed out a good natured, entertaining 5 all draw.

No team was more than a goal ahead until in the final quarter when Old Loughts popped in two quick goals make it 5-3.  It took a herculean effort but the brave Southgate team finally drew level with the last flick of the game giving them a short corner conversion rate of around 1 in 15!

It would have to be said that Southgate had the lions share of attacking opportunities but OL were much more effective at converting chances into goals.  Overall it was a fantastic team effort with senior members Brian Woolcot and Chris Gerard both coming close to scoring. 

The OL man of the match was undoubtedly their German goalkeeper, the hockey equivalent of a Manuel Neuer.  Southgate goals were scored by Anthony Spencer, Anand Shukla, Fergus Comrie and Biffi with one of the first three getting a brace (sorry I can’t remember who).  Notable mentions for Neil Commons in goal, Biffi barking orders from the back and trotting up for short corners, Anthony Spencer running, running and running in midfield, Alex Holmes playing an assured role at left back but man of the match went to Fergus whose confidence on the ball, movement and distribution grow exponentially with each match.