Southgate M1 welcome Indian Gymkhana for a crunch game in Division One South.
Lee Ible’s Southgate side are without a point after 6 games but after an encouraging performance away to top side Hampstead & Westminster the team fancy a chance to break their duck and start their move up the Div One table.
Yet Indian Gymkhana are a team never to underestimate, after some years of rising back through the ranks they had been challenging a premier division spot until a slight drop of form at the end of last season. New coach David Matthews oversaw a thrilling 1-2 loss to Guildford when they were undone at the last with a Cameron Baker PC in the 70th minute. They have 6 individual goal scorers in their first 6 games showcasing their goal scoring threat deep into the squad- all their games have been hard fought and Ible can expect a staunch competition in what could be seen by some as a relegation 6 pointer.
For Ible John Sterlini has been called back into the side and the Southgate veteran will no doubt make a real difference with Alex Asif also called back into the 1st team after impressing in the M2 in the last weeks. The Southgate faithful can be buoyed by some real grit and flair shown under intense pressure last week at Paddington Rec, Southgate came back from a 3-0 deficit to get back into the contest at 3-2 just before half time- Jay Brady impressing with a brace and James Smith netting his 5th goal of the season with a well executed drag flick in the final quarter to close the gap on the home side.
These games are also great spectacles and supporters are encouraged to get down and make a great athmosphere on Sunday afternoon cheering on the boys to their first points of the season.
Southgate M1 vs Indian Gymkhana M1
14:30, Sunday 8th November
Southgate Hockey Centre