Saturday 21 September 2024
Match report by Emma Postings
Do you remember? The 21st night of September? There weren’t any clouds to chase away on this scorching hot day at Trent Park in which Southgate Ladies 1s opened the 24/25 season against newly promoted Guildford. A clash which has some history in recent years, with their last meeting in a ‘winner takes all’ last game of the season match in 2023. Southgate came out on top back in 2023, gaining promotion to Div 1 South, but who would come out on top today?
It was 5 minutes before either team managed to get into the opposing teams D. Guildford took Southgate by surprise with a long ball straight into a 1 vs 1 situation with Southgate goalkeeper, Louisa Bray, who managed to push the Guildford forward wide. Ellie Halliday tracked back just in time to stop the shot from the near angle. After soaking up the pressure from Guildford, Southgate went on the attack with some lovely 2 touch hockey, resulting in a Lorna Cruickshanks reverse stick hit which was saved by Guildfords goalkeeper. A few moments later Lorna had another shot from a cross by Jess Denniff which was saved again. 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.
It was a very cagey second quarter, with neither team creating many chances. Jess Denniff and Southgate newcomer Imi Swann created a 2 on 1 situation with the Guildford goalkeeper late on in the quarter, but were denied a goal. Another long ball caught Southgate by surprise, with an excellent stick save from Bray keeping it to 0-0 at half time.
A few minutes into the second half Guildford won the first short corner of the game. A straight strike which was stopped and cleared by the Southgate defence. Southgate went on the counter attack, but couldn’t convert. The quarter continued with Southgate slowly building the pressure, with multiple shots and chances on goal. All of these denied by some superb goalkeeping, including a diving stick save from Rose Thomas, the Guildford goalkeeper and captain. 0-0 at the end of the third quarter.
An early yellow card for Southgate’s Imi Swann left the team in red down a player for the first 5 minutes of the final quarter. Could Guildford take advantage of this? The answer is no, as shortly after this a guilford player received a green for a series of dodgy stick tackles. Moments later Southgate won their first short corner of the game, which was blocked by the number one runner. The ball fell to Liv Richardson who’s strike went inches wide. The heat got to both team as they tried to find a winner in the dying minutes, but no-one could convert. The score remained 0-0.
It took Southgate 7 games last season to get any points on the board, so this was clearly a more confident start to the season. This gives Southgate a real boost to compete away at Barnes next Saturday.