Southgate M4’s put in the performance of the season with a resounding win over Chiswick on a chilly Saturday in Trent Park.
Southgate M4 10– Chiswick M2 –1
There were no festive cobwebs on display as Southgate looked to build on a tight 1-1 game in West London back in September, yet from the get-go the Scott Ellis led team fired on all cylinders to ensure the Chiswick team remained firmly on the back foot.
A strong 14 man squad welcomed back the teams top scorer Lik from a period of personal reflection as well as Lion Dan McGrath back from injury and team talisman Huw “coach” Stevens. Chiswick fighting for their place in the league arrived early and in numbers and looked intent on ruining the Club Chairman’s birthday. Yet from the first whistle the momentum fell to Southgate as Zech Mengrani and Tom Davies combined well to force a Gate corner. Coach Huw stepped forth from his den in expectant offering of his mighty flick yet skipper Scott called 2 and Whatley stepped forward, a towering 6ft 2.5 inches of red and black presence with his sponsored stick and he let forth a Zeus like rocket hard at the Chiswick keeper who under The Whatley Wrath and a little deflection from the Chiswick post man duly let the ball slide between his kickers and over the line to send Gate 1-0 to the good.
Mengrani and Ward were pressing hard in the forward line and a fine ball from Stevens down the right was well picked up by Whatley who with a clear sighted vigour sent the ball wide to the waiting Mengrani who toyed with the hearts of all by choosing a circuitious route to the back board but to the back board it went and Gate were 2-0 up after 20. Tadgh McGrath started pulling the midfield strings like a magisterial Gepetto who paved the way for what followed.
Tom Davies began performing unseasonably well and at one point dribbled through the middle of the pitch on his own and laced a shot just wide a warning shot across the boughs from the Prodigal Son. Soon Lik felt left out and ensured he would not be left out of dispatches when he gobbled up like the festive goose a cross D ball- 3-0. Chiswick set about a recovery mission and began pressing hard into ‘Gate territory which Scott, Huw, Davidoff the Daring and the Prodigal Son defended with a large part steel with a dash of derring do. Despite that Chiswick did get one back leaving Lion Sam no chance. The man from Southend who beats time with his rhytym sticks proved his mettle over the following minutes with a succession of fine saves including an outreached stick save that drew a singular gasp from a spectator.
3-1 at the turn and thoughts turned to victory and setting a rigorous second term agenda. And lo it fell to pass. Davies scored 2, Lik managed 2 more and Whatley showcased his skill with a ‘not at all bad’ (Huw Stevens) upright reverse finish from a deflected PC flick which soared like an elegiac eagle to the goal and duly arrived within it. Lik secured his hat-trick with one of the goals of the season less for his finish but more from the team work that set it with a ball workout it’s way majersterially around the pitch touching the stick of Davidoff, Stevens, Prodigal Son, Lion Dan, Jai and finally Lik who collared it with grease hard past the Chiswick keeper who confessed he wasn’t wholly enjoying the experience.
In all of this it would be wholly reasonable to commend Chiswick for their continued efforts to get back in the game, they forced numerous chances and a series of saves from Lion Sam and his herculean defensive set up. Yet Tadgh McGrath despite orders of trying to give the Chairman a hat-trick (and indeed duly missing one) secured his solitary DOD vote by ignoring such wishes and combining rather nicely with Huw “Coach” Stevens to send the score line into double figures.
The final whistle blew at 10-1 and few could believe that such clear sighted dominance lay in the gift of a team who enjoy sitting under the radar in London’s Division 2 North. The Prodigal Son Tom Davies was a worthy winner of MOM with Lik despite his 4 goals nevertheless getting a resounding slap on the back with a wealth of commendations. Whatley secured his 7th DOD vote of the season despite a brace of rare beauty. Mention should also be made of Fergus Comrie, Lion Doug Ward, Lion Dan and Jai Martins who put in some fine leg work on and off the ball allowing the goal scorers to enjoy their day out.
Thanks to all our supporters and Gerald the dog.
Next week the team head south of the river to Richmond and prepare to make ready with the Richmond M3 in a must see event.