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Match Report by Sohan Dhana
Southgate 0-2 Hampstead & Westminster ZH

Southgate’s M4s faced off against second in the league side H&W ZH on a chilly saturday at midday. Our side was looking for a bounce back result from the 4-2 defeat the previous week.

The warmup showed promise as the 4s hoped to carry as much momentum into the fixture as possible. Possession fluctuated between the 2 teams within the first 20 minutes. However, Southgate, by far, showed more promise with more D entries and slick sequences of passes. Despite the encouraging signs from the M4s, on the counter just before half time, we were caught sleeping, as a H&W player drove and placed the ball onto a foot in the D. They capitalized on our error, and a sloppy short corner led to the ball bobbling over the goal line, narrowly splitting David James and Sam in goal. Heads dropped in the Southgate camp and marking loosened.

For a period of 5 minutes, the M4’s were exposed to immense pressure from H&W, as they pinged the ball around our 25 threatening the direct ball into the D. Just as pressure was starting to ease, a H&W player received the ball and drove to the baseline, cutting the ball back to the p-spot where another player was waiting… 2-0 down, Scott had a big half time talk to give if the M4s wanted to try get a result from the game.
The second half started, and the M4s were convinced a result was obtainable. With Watley leading the press, we advanced up the pitch and tried pinning their full backs to win the ball. Unfortunately, due to the inability of our forward and midfield lines to communicate, the mildly promising press was beaten from a pass down the inside.

With 10 minutes to go Southgate had managed to finally build some momentum, allowing Watley to have our 1st shot on target from 7 yards out which got smothered by the keeper. In quick succession, another 2 quick shots from Fergus and Sajiv were taken from balls fired in by Christie at the back. Unfortunately, on the 3rd try Christie managed to slap the ball straight at the opposing striker and they countered. Scott’s adaptation of a block tackle was enough to disperse the counter but was ultimately unsuccessful as a short was given away soon after.

In the dying few minutes of the game Sam made a save low to his right attempting to keep us in the game. However, the game finished 0-2 on a disappointing afternoon for the M4s, having played some lovely hockey, all things considered.

Next week the 4s face off against Indian Gymkhana M2 and hope to take home a much-needed win.

Special mentions to Waqas who filled in well at full back differing from his regular position of attacking mid.

MoM – David James, for making some crucial tackles at the back

DoD – Sohan Dhana, for the absence of his shirt on his debut game, having to wear a neon orange overall.