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3-1 vs West Hampstead M9
report by Mark Thomsett
The M7s have been putting in encouraging performances all season, but without the goals or results to show for it. A trip to fellow strugglers West Hampstead on a bright and sunny morning, and the return of some key players, offered the opportunity to secure a result that could kick start a good run into the second half of the season.
Starting with the sun at their backs, the M7s took a little while to settle into a pattern of play, but as the first half wore on, the midfield energy, pressing and movement of Laurence Whyatt, Simon Holmes, Chris Rouse, Antony Spencer and Martin Christie took a firm grip on the match, and West Hampstead found themselves unable to break out from their 23 for long passages of play. Retreating into their D to crowd out play, West Hampstead tried to hold off a Southgate front line of Amar Johal, MS Patti, Peter Roughton and Rich Martins, conceding several short corners and deflections, but it was clear that it was going to take something special to clear through the forest of sticks and break the deadlock. And Rich Martins provided it: a neat dance on the edge of the D to create space for an unstoppable shot into the roof of the goal that the keeper didn’t see until it was past him.
The first half continued in this vein, and it wasn’t long before a second goal was added by Rich Martins via an intended deflection after good work from the midfield in combination.
2-0 at half time and a lot of good things to take from the M7s best half of the season so far.
Facing the sun in the second half, the Southgate defence of Robin Tullo, Luke Collier, Neil Murphy, Michael Blackwood and Mark Thomsett had to do a lot more defending, and found themselves pinned back for long periods. On the few occasions that West Hampstead managed to create an opportunity, Neil Commons in goal was there to sweep up any danger, but inevitably one shot found its way through. 2-1 and too tight for comfort.
A slight change in formation rested control back for Southgate, and from there Southgate always looked like the team most likely to score. Which they did, another sharp finish from Martins to round off his hattrick.
3-1 the final score to Southgate, and a fine and well-deserved win. Everyone in the squad put in maximum effort and played smarter hockey this week, but special mention should go to Amar Johal, Michael Blackwood and Rich Martins, who all picked up nominations for Man Of The Match with Laurence Whyatt taking the honour with the final vote.