MATCH REPORT BY ALASTAIR WHATLEY

Southgate almost secured a come back for the ages as they put in their best performance this season away at Raynes Park on Saturday night. Wimbledon showed their ruthless streak early doors as skipper Ed Horley put the homes side up within the first minute after Sam Hooper delivered a pin point aerial into the D before Horley neatly carved the ball past Calum Douglas in the Southgate goal.

Karl Stagno’s side was clearly suffering from their own injuries and non availability following an intense weekend at Surbiton in the EHL which meant that players like former Southgate junior Duncan Scott watching from the sidelines. Yet despite Southgate suffering from a battalion of injuries including Jack Middleton, Ali Douglas and Jatin Sharma to name but three it meant that another Southgate Junior, Leo Garner was able to step up into his Premier Division debut after a blistering start to his season in the M2.

Southgate despite the early set back forced their way back into the game, slowly wearing down the Wimbledon press and offering some real fight off the ball. Sean Davis began a blistering performance on the line in a succession of Wimbledon corners which he saw off the line like a Canadian Ben Duckett in a parade of fine square cuts to the boundary.

Yet Southgate’s industry was rewarded cruelty in the 24th minute when umpire Reeman called a penalty stroke off a driving baseline run by Fred Newbold. Sam Hooper converted with a stunning stroke which put the ball into the net clanging off the upper cross bar with a ringing that could be heard down on the common. 2-0 to Wimbledon.

Southgate continued to battle but again found the rub of the green not going their way and half time saw a small mountain to climb to get back into the contest. Huw Stevens and Jason Lee clearly fired up their charges because the 3rd quarter produced some of the best hockey Southgate have produced this season. Captain John Sterlini led by example with a dogged and determined performance at full back and he was well complemented by new signing the New Zealand International player Xavier Guy who has stepped into the team with ease.

Archie Foster ignited the Southgate supporter exertions on the sidelines with a fine drag flick from top D to bring the scoreline to 2-1 and just five minutes later in the 48th minutes Sterlini got himself on the scoreboard for the first time since 2020 with an outstanding reverse strike from the top D scything its way past Ore Ogunlana in the Wimbledon goal to even proceedings. The visitors were sent immediately onto the back door as Stagno’s side threw the kitchen sink at the Gate defence who held firm despite a number of Wimbledon PC’s once again well seen off by the PCD team and Douglas between the sticks.

The final quarter was an edge of your seat affair as Wimbledon continued to attack in numbers it took 11 minutes for the dam to break when Kayden Draysey deflected a searching ball delivered at pace into the D from centre back Eddie Way. Southgate fought back hard with Shane Benfell just missing a flick from a ‘Gate corner, Huw Stevens gambled again in the 66th minute taking off Douglas to leave 11 outfield players- yet the luck remains not on Southgate’s side as Wimbledon won themselves a corner 2 minutes later, well defended but converted on the reward by Sam Hooper for his brace.

The game ended 4-2 but for a period it looked like it was going to be the shock result of the weekend with Southgate showing once again their potential, their fight and the team spirit needed to succeed in this top division of English hockey.

The team go again in a double header this weekend as they welcome Hampstead and then Bowdon to Trent Park for two big games in front of the home balcony. Do get down to cheer them on.