Southgate W1 vs Barnes W1
4-2 W
Report by Alastair Whatley
Southgate Women started 2025 with a bang on Saturday afternoon when they defeated rivals Barnes for the first time in memory.
On a freezing Saturday Andy Richardson’s side twice came from behind to clinch the 3 points in what could be a tide turning result in the ever fluctuating Division One South. Yet it was Barnes who came out the blocks first winning a corner which saved off the line by Emma Postings nevertheless gifted the visitors an early flick which was well dispatched by captain Aleesa Ferguson in the 3rd minute to give Barnes the early advantage.
Southgate rallied with a flurry of 3 corners all of which were well defended by Barnes with keeper Katie Martin-Fagg proving her credentials as one of the leagues top stoppers. Barnes parried back hard with some corners of their own and Louisa Bray more than matching her opposite number in the Gate goal fending off shots and corners with aplomb. Southgate secured a timely boost at the end of Q1 with Lorna Cruickshank giving the home support something to cheer about with a well taken goal in the 17th minute after Charlotte Kelly produced some mercurial brilliance to get the ball into the crowded D for a well taken finish.
Lara Tegner put Barnes back in front in the 21st minute on a cleverly worked rebound from Harriet Mitchell’s injection. Yet again Southgate needed to come from behind and their fourth corner in the 26th minute was superbly rendered with Postings slapping the ball wide for a smart finish from Emma Macintyre proving again her goal scoring credentials. To finish a strong quarter for Southgate and with the balcony coming to life the captain Ellie Robinson showcased her class with a solo goal of real class as she drove down the right channel onto the baseline surrounded by Barnes defence, outdone for pace they could only watch on as Robinson flicked the ball deftly over the keeper and into the goal leaving the home side 3-2 and in front for the first time.
Barnes never gave up the chase and with the league title on the line it was all to play for and every second was used with Southgate gifting Barnes an array of corner opportunities yet the Gate defence stood firm with great work from Ellie Halliday, Ami Robinson and Flora Walker. Elsewhere Freya Matthews making her 1st team National League debut looked an assured and commanding presence in the midfield whilst Charlotte Kelly deservedly won the MVP vote from the supporters for her tenacious work in the middle of the pitch.
Southgate managed to produce some chances of their own against the Barnes pressure and in the 45th minute a rare error from Martin-Fagg in the visitors goal allowed Ella Poole-Crowe and Lorna Cruickshank to double team to ensure the mistake was punished and that two goal cushion ultimately proved sufficient to earn the points and the team a rapturous reception from the Southgate supporters.
A superb performance against a side in rude form which could set the cat amongst the pigeons if Andy Richardson can see his team turn out performances at that level for the remaining games this season.
Next up on Saturday 8th, the team make the long journey eastward ho to Harleston and the always challenging Harleston Magpies.
