2-1
Report by Mark Thompsett
After last week’s fine victory away at West Hampstead, the M7s had high hopes for a good performance against fellow strugglers Harrow. Bolstered by Ali Priestley, and welcoming Nick Chang for his debut match, the M7s boasted an experienced line-up with captain Mark Thomsett being the youngest player in the squad for the first time.
The M7s took a little while to settle into a pattern of play, with the mobile front three of Harrow causing some issues, but as the first half wore on, the midfield energy, pressing and movement of Ali Priestley, Michiel Van Soest, Antony Spencer and Martin Christie started to gain control of the match. Unfortunately, despite this, against the run of play, and slightly controversially, Harrow took the lead, with a goal that was the result of some dubious deflections and bobbles.
That re-focussed the minds though, and from there Southgate tightened their grip, marking the Harrow midfield danger-man out of the match, and a forward line of Simon Holmes, Nick Chang, Chris Rouse and, in particular, Peter Roughton, repeatedly turning the Harrow back line, forcing them to face their own goal. A short corner brought the first goal – finished by the injector, Chris Rouse. A deserved equaliser. Retreating into their D to crowd out play, Harrow hung on to keep the scoreline level at half time, as chances came and went for the home team.
The second half started as the first – a rejigged formation and an unlucky interception gifting Harrow their only clear shot of the half, from which they finished well. 2-1 down against the run of play – it was clear that Southgate needed to step things up.
A back line of Neil Murphy, Luke Collier, Hitesh Mody and Mark Thomsett did this literally, pressing higher up the pitch, forcing Harrow back and shielding Neil Commons’ goal from the risk of scrappy shots. The Southgate midfield never let Harrow settle on the ball or lift their head to pass it, and the front line bullied the Harrow defence into conceding possession on numerous occasions. The deserved goals would surely come.
And they did – the equaliser from a penalty flick tucked away neatly by Ali Priestley; the lead gained through a deflected shot that rifled into the top corner from Antony Spencer; and the icing on the cake was a goal from Peter Roughton after a barnstorming performance running Harrow centre back ragged throughout the entire match.
4-2 the final score to Southgate, and a satisfying and well-deserved win after the best performance of the season. Everyone in the squad put in maximum effort and played smart hockey this week, with a special mention going to Antony Spencer and Martin Christie who put in their best performances for the M7s to date, however there was no doubt that the man of the match was Peter Roughton, who looked to be having the time of his life terrifying the Harrow defence in a fine physical battle, capped off with the final goal of the match.
So two wins on the bounce for the M7s for the first time this season, and the hard work and running are beginning to bear fruit. Next up is a trip to the league leaders, Richmond, where a tougher test surely awaits.