Charles Hamilton equalised in the dying seconds of an enthralling contest between Southgate and old rivals East Grinstead in an end to end thriller which earned a crucial point for the Huw Stevens coached side.
Southgate came into the game full of confidence riding high from a 3-4 win over Cardiff & Met the previous week, that ebullience was clear to see from the off and it was Archie Foster who danced into the D from a lovely aerial take down by Sean Davies who shipped it onto Foster who drove the baseline before cutting inside and lifting it over EG keeper Oliver Smart to give Southgate the 1-0 advantage in the 11th minute.
Southgate’s Archie Foster celebrates scoring. Southgate v East Grinstead – EH Men’s Premier Division L6 at Southgate Hockey Centre, Trent Park, London, UK on 08 March 2025.
Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images
The visitors soon replied in the 17th minute with Thomas Tyers forcing the ball home from a patient build up, taking advantage of a Southgate turnover at the top of their D. A beautiful day in Trent Park had given way to a sultry evening and the crowds thronged the famous Southgate balcony and the second quarter proved a humdinger. Archie Foster was again in the thick of the action as Jack Middleton threw a pin point aerial in the 24th minute deep into EG territory which found Foster who dabbled his way into the D with umpire Neil Smith immediately awarding a penalty flick against the EG defence for impeding an incoming shot. Jack Middleton took the slow long walk to the EG D and calmly put the ball away in clinical style past Oliver Smart to give Gate the lead once again.
Just before half time East Grinstead put forward a devastating phase of play when skipper Daniel Faulkner- after some patient build up play, drove hard down the right channel and put a ball across the penalty spot with real vigour, Stephen Perry posted up with a reverse stick deflection that sent the ball high over Calum Douglas’ right pad into the roof of the goal to equalise for EG once again.
The game was on and after 4 goals and a series of chances at both ends it was hard to separate the teams. The second half begun to vocal home support reverberating around Trent Park under the darkening skies and it proved a cagey, hard fought quarter with no goals coming forth. EG managed to win 6 corners through the second half with most coming at the death. Calum Douglas produced some remarkable saves to deny Faulkner and Max Lowrey from the top of the D and the Southgate defensive unit of Mo Gandhi, John Sterlini, Joe Hillyer, Ali Douglas and Robbie Gill had to put in a double shift to keep the probing attack at bay.
Meanwhile at the other end Smart stopped Fosters 2 flicks from top D with decisive blocks. The final quarter was dominated by the visitors and a accumulation of pressure led to cards for Hamilton and Sofat leaving Southgate with 10 men for 4 consecutive minutes – the last of those saw Louis Tipper again find a deflection to beat Douglas in the 69th minutes breaking the hearts of the home fans on the ‘Gate balcony.
Southgate’s Alistair Douglas. Southgate v East Grinstead – EH Men’s Premier Division L6 at Southgate Hockey Centre, Trent Park, London, UK on 08 March 2025.
Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images
Only a miracle would rescue things as the seconds counted down on umpire David Monger’s clock. Yet Foster again stood up and found space down the right, he drove the baseline fed in a ball cross goal which Smart intercepted yet it fell well for Hamilton who jumped on the ball with fervour slapping it home past a stricken Smart to tie the game as the whistle blew time on an entertaining contest as celebration of a point from the jaws of defeat resonated around the ground.
Southgate’s Karan Sofat celebrates the equaliser. Southgate v East Grinstead – EH Men’s Premier Division L6 at Southgate Hockey Centre, Trent Park, London, UK on 08 March 2025.
Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images
A fabulous event in front of a noisy and packed Southgate Hockey Centre. Phase 2 of the premier division is not well into it’s stride as the Southgate men next week head west to Richmond for what is sure to be another riveting contesting between two sides fighting tooth and dagger to hold onto their premier division status.
