The penultimate match…. against second placed St Albans, sitting 20 points above us AND with a relegation threat hanging over the 5A’s….it’s hard to say that hope and optimism was in the air but, if nothing else we don’t give up.

A shortened match report this week to reflect the amount of time we were actually in the game….a 1-6 defeat sort of says it all.

Despite this, the first 10 minutes were well balanced. 5A had the best of the games, threatening moves coming down both right and left and James Wood and Freddie showing good skills and strength against an experienced and robust defence.

A first St Albans short corner reflected a change in momentum. And a first goal, quickly led to a second goal, which quickly led to a cracker of a third goal which almost as quickly led to a fourth goal. Despite a 0-4 scoreline it wasn’t all one way and three of the goals were fast counter attacks, on the break – three (it might have been three, they were moving quickly) young, speedy St Albans youths making life tricky for a rather more senior Southgate defensive line up. Alex Holmes did great credit for the Southgate youth in an excellent display, under lots of pressure for virtually the whole game.

0-4 down at half time – lots of 5A effort but nothing to show and too much possession too easily given away. We were determined to start again.

The second half was better. We scored the first goal – a great attacking move from inside our half, calmly finished by Freddie in the right place at the right time, with a cool head. – three goals in two games from him!

St Albans are good and they were not finished. Better Southgate marking and defending and vital saves from Neil C, kept the attacks at bay but for two more goals. We lost the second half 1-2…

Man of the Match was Neil Commons with mentions for the tireless James Findlay and Chris Ray.

The best news of the day came late in the evening, telling us that Royston had lost to Bedford Vets and so the 5A ‘s are safe to fight another 6SW campaign next season and there’s still, one game to go this season – Broxbourne on Saturday…