Result – DRAW 3-3 vs Ham & West W6
Match Report by Mon Glover
Southgate W5 battled to a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Ham & West W6 in a thrilling encounter, showcasing resilience and determination to come back from 3-1 down in the second half.
The match started with Southgate on confident form, matching the intensity of a fit and fast Ham & West side. The early exchanges were evenly contested, but Southgate struck first when Olive coolly converted a penalty flick after being fouled in the D. However, Ham & West responded swiftly, equalizing with a well-timed deflection on the post. The visitors then took the lead just before halftime, capitalising on a goalline scramble where Jas initially smothered the ball, but Ham & West managed to sweep the ball past the back post.
Trailing 2-1 after half time, Southgate found themselves further behind when Ham & West extended their lead with another deflection goal early in the second half. But this only ignited their comeback. Olive secured her second goal of the game with a composed finish from a well-worked short corner, shifting the momentum in Southgate’s favor.
As the clock ticked down, Southgate pressed for an equaliser. In the dying moments, they got their reward. A short corner was awarded as the final whistle blew, Mon received the ball top D and slipped it to Lucy, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper. However, Victoria was perfectly positioned to pounce on the rebound, slotting the ball home to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw.
It was a testament to Southgate’s perseverance and teamwork, turning what seemed like a lost cause into a well-earned point. Lucy Cope was named player of the match for her excellent work in midfield. A fantastic display from the W5s!
