Match report by Andy Fell
Win 6-0

Southgate Mens 2s travelled to the Lee Valley Olympic park on Saturday to face East London Men’s 1st team.

Southgate needed 3 points to remain in contention to challenge for top spot in the London Premier Division and East London desperately needed a win to move from the relegation zone. Both teams started strongly, with East London pressing high and hard. It was not until the 8th minute when a majestic full field line rotation resulted in Andy Fell finding himself in East Londons circle and Drew Burkin covering the skippers defensive duties. Burkin who was in position of the ball, unleashed a full field aerial to Fell who was impeded as he took down the 75 yard bomb to win a penalty corner. Southgate converted the PC through an Oliver Wickham deflection on the back post, passed by Sim Bird.

6 minutes later, Southgate won a 2nd PC which Rob Sheared expertly converted to go 2-0 up, with a deceptive drag flick from the top. The game remained tight with the score remaining 2-0 at half time. Southgate were straight out of the blocks in the second half. 2 minutes into the half, Rob Shearer, from right back delivered a delightful overhead to Matt Allister who gathered and made an amazing 25 yard carry into the circle and along the back line. Allister then delivered a simple pass across the goal which Sim Bird expertly converted to put Southgate 3-0 up.

At 45 minutes a piece of Shearer genius, saw him deliver an inside out slap from the half way line to our Northern Irish maestro who had led to – and gathered the ball on the back left post. Allister (said same N.I Maestro) calmly wrapped the ball around the keeper to put Southgate 4-0 up. Continuing the pressure, Southgate won a corner at 50 minutes which Sim Bird converted with a rebounded first time Gretzky esk hit, 5-0 Southgate. The last play of the game saw Will Gibson break out of defence and carry for almost the length of the pitch, as Gibson crossed the East London 25 he delivered a delightful pass the Sam Mee who with his back to goal, faked right, then wrapped the ball beautifully passed the keeper into the bottom corner. The game ended 6-0 to Southgate.

An exceptional second half from the boys with Iain Gordon, Oliver Izzo and Johnny Maunder linking expertly in the screen with exceptional work all over the park and a clean sheet for Savvas in the Gate goal the cherry on the cake.

Next up is West Hampstead at home to make it 3 from 3.