Match Report : Will Hargrove

HT 0-2 | FT 2-6

(one green against Oppo but of no consequence)

Southgate Goals : Ollie Costelloe & Dave Richardson

This was the flagons first outing of the season in league 4NW. We were hoping to add to back-to-back wins by L2s and L1s. The assembled crew was something of an assortment of different teams and our opposition were enthusiastic and lively. The effort across the park was faultless from the Flagons. We fought hard and actually had possibly more of the early pressure. 15 minutes gone our confidence was high when unfortunately we conceded a short corner and they converted well down low to left of Keeper Commons, one of those things. Thereafter the oppo had more of the pressure but we stayed strong. Five minutes later another short another goal – very well taken, slip left, slap top left post and injector deflected home – no shame in that. One other short hit the post but otherwise the damage was only 0-2 at the break.

Sadly they scored almost from the restart – not the plan! We then worked up the park and got to left by-line where Dave “ST” Richardson managed to thread a ball in and Ollie Costelloe adroitly snuck it under their keeper. 1-3 and energy levels rose. Not for too long though. On the break their youth and energy did cause trouble. 1-5 down didn’t feel a very fair reflection. We fought back and nice interplay through the midfield say “ST” though on goal just to the right of the middle of the “D”, out came the keeper, cool was kept as ST clipped the ball round the keeper for 2-5 – a well taken goal. They scored late on for 2-6. A game played in good spirits and well marshalled by umpires Biffi and Trathen (thanks you).

Neil Commons was kept busy in goal but did a good job. Mat Mitchell & Phil Peters ran the centre of defence well amidst their swimming, almost canine, attackers. Rory Willmott & Ethan Mahendran likewise did well, composed and hard tackling. Wilmott slightly lucky not to see a card for an “inaccurate” tackle.  Midfield were always going to have their work cut out – a mixture of youth and experience.

Captain Hargrove roamed about and tried to mix the passed up. Andy Robertson was a rock in the middle having a strong game under pressure. Samir Ahmad & Arun Solanki were always a threat and worked hard also. Upfront the trio – James Marriott, Ollie Costelloe & Dave Richardson – worked tirelessly and effectively – a great shift put in and some nice interplay. We might well have had more and came close at a couple of “shorts”

All in all a great effort from a relatively scratch side!