Beeston on a chilly spring evening is not an easy place to play. A long drive and a big home crowd create a great atmosphere which has tripped up many teams. It is a test of character.
That test was felt acutely by Akshay Palaniappan and passed with flying colours on Saturday night under the lights in Nottingham. Akhsay who has only just returned from injury and working his way back to fitness had just a few weeks ago been playing in Southgate’s 5th team in London Divison 3 North. Yet just a few weeks later via some games for the M2 he found himself front and centre facing a barrage of Beeston corners.
Also making his debut with Akshay was Southgate junior player and US international Toby Whittaker. Both players put in great debuts but it was Akshay who stole the headlines with a series of crucial saves to help ensure the visitors walked away with a very important point. It included a corner in the dying seconds of the game which he steered away with his right glove with admirable calm.
The Southgate supporters massed in the Club House back in London cheered him to the rafters and welcomed him back in the early hours with the party still in full swing as the hero of the day.
Congratulations to both Toby and Akshay and the whole team on an undefeated weekend and to Akshay a heroic return from injury and night to remember.