(Report by Simon Parker)

L 0-3

The M1s took on Hampstead & Westminster last Wednesday in the Y1 Championship, and despite an even match, ended up losing 3-0 thanks to a Matt Guise-Brown penalty corner hat trick.

On a chilly night, the M1s dodged the hail showers and travelled down to Paddington Rec for the first competitive match on the new pitch. The M1s were slow to start with Hampstead playing their normal high tempo game and a high press which caused a number of problems. Thankfully, they weathered the storm and the first quarter ended 0-0. A change of tactics by Hampstead in the second quarter to play half court let the M1s into the match, which was developing into a game of few chances. Against the run of play, Hampstead won a penalty corner which was duly converted by the goal machine that is Matt Guise-Brown to end the half 1-0 up.

The second half proved to be a similarly tight affair with ex-Southgate player Guise-Brown proving to be the difference, scoring from penalty corners in both the third and fourth quarters, putting the match out of reach from the Southgate fight back.