Match Report by Alastair Whatley

Southgate Lions O35 6-2 Aylesbury O35

The Southgate Lions got their 2024/2025 campaign going in style against a wet and windy backdrop on Sunday afternoon as the Southgate forwards ran amok against.

The Lions are a team forged in the fire of ageing but have been delighted to reverse this process by the change in EH regulations meaning a whole new generation of Lions have been recruited between the ages of 35-39 lowering the average age to at least 50.

Yet on the eve of the great event disaster befell the Pride when no less than 4 Lions reported in with an array of Leonine ailments. Step forward two Lions brave and true waiting in the wings in the shapely forms of James Rushton and Mat Mitchell to give a mighty pride of 12 to do battle at Aylesbury Vale College.

As push back dawned a sight appeared on the horizon as welcome as Blücher was to Wellington at Waterloo when the President arrived with an entourage of Lion cubs (not borne of the President). In the worst of British weather the club president in his vintage Southgate apparel stood stoic and in rude voice to cheer on the Lions.

Push back came and the hardened Lions somewhat delayed due to the pre-game presentation at the den of goal keeper (and W3 coach) Lion Rob stood with manes to the wind and fired some volleys into the fray of Aylesbury’s defence. It took just three minutes for the defences to breach as Doug fired an aerial definitely not at the goal which was met by the rare sight of Scott Ellis charging north, possibly mistaking the chilly climes for elsewhere, as he plucked the ball from the sky like a Greek God and filched the ball into the goal like a thief in the night.

There were herculean cheers nevertheless which didn’t last long as Aylesbury scored a goal in no way due to Lion Mat’s hangover.

Yet the lions are made of stern stuff and soon it was Huw who fired in a ball for captain Whatley to deflect home with the craft and skill of Mufasa. From there goals rained in glittery abundance, Lik polished away some natty forward interchange work with a smart finish and Huw scored the goal of the game with a superb solo goal belying his international pedigree.

4-1 at the break and some encouraging words from the Lion leaders and a bleak look from the frozen Southgate manager Rich Martins fired the Lions into battle. Some rather jolly play ensued with midfield and defence serving some fine balls forward for the forward lions. Raj Saha, Scott Ellis, James Rushton all deserve mention but then so too do Jon Huddleston, Mat Mitchell and Rob Goodhew not to mention mens COS Alessandro Onano- in short it was a team effort which resulted in Huw Stevens nutmegging the Aylesbury keeper and Lik finishing well from a pin point assist from Whatley.

At 6-1 in the midst of driving rain the team hunkered down and set back seeing off with elan the Aylesbury forward threat. In the death throes of the game Aylesbury got one back from a well taken PC and the game ended in a convincing 6-2 win to the visiting Lions.

MOM went to The Magic Lion for a debut of astonishing technical skill and a fine mane. DOD went to someone for something.

Thanks to Justin Edwards for umpiring and to the President for supporting. A fine day with superb hospitality from the Aylesbury players. If Heineken did Cup Days- they could do worse than the 035’s against Aylesbury in the death throes of storm Bert.