Southgate M4 pulled back from 1-3 down to ensure a point taken from Richmond Griffins.
Tom Davies and his players had capitulated to a poor 5-2 loss in the away leg in November and after a string of disappointing performances were looking to finish their season strongly. Under coach Chris Pearce the team welcomed back 4s legend Christopher ‘Lik’ Kastlik back into the ranks and also offered Rohan Shah is M4 debut in a game that was always set to be keenly contested with Griffins needing a point at least to help them avoid relegation.
Will Roughton got things off to a good start converting his first ever goal for the M4 after a dance in the D. With Rob Goodhew making his first M4 appearance of the scion in goal pulling off some fine saves at the other end of the pitch. There was some genuinely impressive moments throughout the first half with the team learning to pass and develop the ball through the midfield connecting with the forward lines.
The second half saw an energised Southgate team working on a new press which paid dividends for 3 minutes before Chris Lee scored a very well taken PC which then saw David Barclay put the visitors ahead in the 44th minute before a regrettable PC was converted in the 47th minute by Edward Blair giving the Griffins a big 2 goal lead with 23 minutes to play. Spurred on by senior players Freddie Shiret and Myles Alexander-Bryan and helped by top performances from David ‘Davidoff’ James and Zech ‘Zechy’ Mengrani not to mention Ben ‘Ben BC’ Cade,
Yet Lik having not touched the ball in the first half got himself into his customary position on the post to tap in a very well set up goal care of Alex Prior to put the score back to 2-3 before the club Chairman managed to outfox Thomas Curtis in the Griffins goal and allow for his customary celebration as the 4s equalised in the 60th minute.
Southgate then pushed on for the win with Whatley sending a no.2 hit from a PC past the right post and Mitch Read going close in the 65th minute. Yet Griffins held firm and the game ended in handshakes as the honours were shared in the spring afternoon sunshine in Trent Park
